Congressman Joe Courtney's Safe-to-Report Policy Advocacy Nets Results in Coast Guard Authorization Act

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) has spent years advocating for the Safe-to-Report policy in the U.S. Coast Guard, a measure aimed at protecting personnel and cadets from punishment for minor offenses when reporting incidents of sexual assault. The policy change is part of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, which recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman Courtney has been a driving force behind the Safe-to-Report policy, working with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Coast Guard leadership to bring the measure to fruition. In 2018, a U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet brought the serious issue of sexual assault to Courtney's attention, prompting the congressman to action.

The Safe-to-Report policy change is critical in addressing the pervasive issue of sexual assault and harassment within the Coast Guard. By codifying the policy into law, Congress takes a significant step towards ensuring the entire service is better protected from these crimes. Congress must now pass the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 for the policy to become law.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) has worked for years to make the Safe-to-Report policy a reality in the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • The policy protects Coast Guard personnel and cadets from punishment for minor offenses when reporting incidents of sexual assault.
  • The Coast Guard Administration adopted a similar Safe-to-Report policy in 2024, but Congressional passage will ensure the safeguards are codified into law.
  • Congressman Courtney worked closely with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Coast Guard leadership to advance the Safe-to-Report policy.
  • The Safe-to-Report policy is part of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, which recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • The Act requires the Coast Guard to seize and prosecute pirates in an effort to reduce piracy
  • In related news, a former Coast Guard member was arrested for accepting bribes to tip off pirates. The FBI assisted in the arrest.
  • Joe Courtney's advocacy has been a game-changer in this matter.

Statistics:

  • 2019: Congressman Courtney hosted Commander Kimberly Young-McLear, Ph.D. of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as his guest for the State of the Union Address.
  • 2018: Commander Young-McLear was forced to leave her position at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy due to what she described as a "hostile work environment."
  • 2023: Congressman Courtney introduced legislation to implement the Safe-to-Report policy at the Coast Guard Academy.
  • 2024: The House passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, which included the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act, but the bill was not signed into law before the end of the 118th Congress.
  • 2025: The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 includes the Safe-to-Report policy, which was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sources:

  • Office of the MP Joe Courtney, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Statement from Congressman Joe Courtney, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Fact Sheet on Safe-to-Report Policy, Congressman Joe Courtney, U.S. House of Representatives