The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to strengthen, support and authorize funds for the U.S. Coast Guard through 2027 recently.
The authorization is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee legislation pertaining to the Coast Guard and its missions. The provisions in the NDAA are based on the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO), chair of the T&I Committee; Rick Larsen (D-WA), the committee’s ranking member; Mike Ezell, chair of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee; and Calud Cargajal (D-CA), subcommittee ranking member. The legislation was previously approved by the House on July 23, 2025.
“I’m grateful that the Coast Guard Authorization Act was included in this year’s NDAA. This legislation provides the men and women of the Coast Guard – one of our nation’s six armed services – with the resources they need to carry out their many missions vital to national security, the safety of Americans and mariners, and our economy,” said T&I Committee Chairman Graves. “The legislation also builds on the historic investments in modernizing the Coast Guard’s air and sea assets provided through the budget reconciliation process, and it supports the Administration’s vision to strengthen America’s maritime and shipbuilding capabilities.”
The legislation authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard through 2027, including operational support and continued recapitalization of the Guard’s cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities and IT capabilities. The bill requires the Guard to develop a spend plan for the $24.6 billion investment to the military branch provided through the One Big Beautiful Bill. Additionally, it creates greater parity with the other armed services, including stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment.
And the legislation strengthens U.S.-build requirements and improves accountability to better ensure a healthy U.S. shipbuilding industry, while making changes to maritime safety law, amending requirements for merchant mariner credentials and increase vessel safety.