Press Releases
Committee Approves Bipartisan Coast Guard AuthorizationThe Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today unanimously approved bipartisan legislation that supports and strengthens the United States Coast Guard, one of our Nation’s five armed services, in its critical missions to save lives, safeguard our shores, and protect living marine resources. The Committee also approved two General Services Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program resolutions that will result in $105 million in cost savings through space reductions, space consolidations, and avoided lease payments, and a bill to designate the Randy D. Doub United States Courthouse in Greenville, North Carolina. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 1987) authorizes Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission funding levels for two years, and includes provisions to improve Coast Guard mission effectiveness, help modernize the Service’s aging vessels and other assets, and reform U.S. maritime transportation laws. The bill was introduced by Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), along with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Ranking Member John Garamendi (D-CA). “I am proud of the bipartisan legislation that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved today,” said Chairman Hunter. “ The men and women of the Coast Guard continue to perform a vital role in supporting maritime safety and security, and I have no doubt that this Coast Guard authorization bill will strengthen their ability to meet their critical mission needs.” “The work of the Coast Guard is essential to a safe, efficient, and secure maritime transportation system, and this bill responsibly supports the men and women who carry out that important work on a daily basis,” said Chairman Shuster. “For more than 100 years, the Coast Guard has kept our ports and waterways secure, protected our shores and communities, and responded to disasters or emergencies affecting our mariners, fishermen, and the general public,” said Ranking Member DeFazio. “Congress must ensure that the Coast Guard has the resources and assets necessary to accomplish its mission, and this bipartisan bill attempts to meet that shared goal. I’m glad this bill passed the committee and look forward to working with my colleagues to get it signed into law.” “This legislation will strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to protect our nation and safeguard maritime commerce by providing budget stability and funds to help address unmet capital project needs,” said Ranking Member Garamendi. “It also includes new economic opportunities for our shipyards and merchant marine to grow the U.S. flag through the nascent U.S. LNG export trade.” Highlights of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015:
For more information about the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, click here, and for more information about today’s markup, click here. # # # |