House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Approves Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

Strategic Insights -

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently approved the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, a bipartisan legislation that strengthens and supports the United States Coast Guard by authorizing funding through 2029 for its critical missions. The bill, introduced by Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), aims to modernize maritime infrastructure, ensure maritime safety, and modernize the Coast Guard's acquisition process. The legislation builds on the Force Design 2028 strategy to prepare the Coast Guard for the evolving challenges of tomorrow.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes appropriations for the Service through fiscal year 2029, supporting Coast Guard operations and the recapitalization of its historically underfunded cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities.
  • The bill modernizes the Coast Guard's acquisition process, increases transparency and accountability in the Service's recapitalization efforts, and opens a pathway to the adoption of next-generation autonomous technologies.
  • The legislation creates greater parity with the other armed services, including the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard and stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment.
  • The bill strengthens U.S.-Build requirements and improves accountability to better ensure a healthy, robust U.S. shipbuilding industry, while also making changes to maritime safety laws, amending requirements for merchant mariner credentials, and increasing vessel safety.

Statistics:

  • The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes appropriations of $10.5 billion for the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2029 (Source: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee).
  • The bill aims to recapitalize the Coast Guard's cutter fleet, with 18 new cutters to be delivered by 2029 (Source: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee).
  • There are over 165 members of the Coast Guard involved in rescue operations for the recent flooding in Texas, with Petty Officer Scott Ruskan and the Rescue 6553 air crew team helping to save over 165 lives (Source: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee).

Sources:

  • House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. (July 15, 2025). Press Release: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 Advances in Committee.
  • Ezell, M. (R-MS). (July 15, 2025). Statement on the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.