Press Releases

The House of Representatives 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 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 4188) authorizes Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission through fiscal year 2017, 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, a product of negotiations between the House and the Senate, includes many provisions from a similar Coast Guard bill that unanimously passed the House in May. 

H.R. 4188 was introduced by Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Ranking Member John Garamendi (D-CA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR).

“We have the responsibility to ensure the men and women of the Coast Guard have the tools necessary to fulfill their critical mission,” said Chairman Hunter.  “This bipartisan bill authorizes the Coast Guard for two years and strengthens its ability to recapitalize an aging fleet of cutters and aircraft that are decades past their prime.  This legislation also addresses our maritime transportation system and makes common-sense regulatory changes to strengthen this important sector of our economy.”

“As the Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee, I am very pleased by the passage of H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.  I want to thank Chairman Hunter for his leadership and cooperative spirit to develop a bipartisan bill that deserves strong support from members on both sides of the aisle,” said Ranking Member Garamendi.  “This bill will provide stable and sufficient funding levels for the Coast Guard for the next two years.  It will help with the effort to strengthen and recapitalize a new fleet of polar icebreakers to make us ready for the advent of Arctic operations.  And it will preserve remaining LORAN-C infrastructure that could serve as the basis for a land-based, low-frequency backup to our GPS satellite signal.  This bill is a win for the Coast Guard, a win for our maritime industry, and a win for our national security.”

“This bill supports the critical work of the Coast Guard in protecting our shores, stopping illegal drugs and migrants from coming into our country, and ensuring the safety of those at sea,” said Chairman Shuster.  “I urge our colleagues in the Senate to approve this bill and send it the President.”

“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 House again and I urge the Senate to pass this bipartisan legislation as soon as possible.”

Click here for a two-page summary of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.

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