Press Releases

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today approved the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act (H.R. 2825), a bill that includes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee legislation for the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee previously approved H.R. 2518, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017, and H.R. 2548, the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2017 on May 24, 2017.

“I commend Chairman McCaul and the Homeland Security Committee for moving this important bill.  This legislation represents a collaboration between multiple committees and their chairs, and demonstrates how Congress should work.  The DHS bill is important to the safety and security of the American people, and to ensuring that the Coast Guard and FEMA have the resources they need to carry out their missions to protect our shores, facilitate maritime commerce, and reduce the loss of life and property caused by natural and manmade disasters,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA).  “It was important to support the work of the Homeland Security Committee on their priority, and I was pleased to move the Coast Guard and FEMA measures through the Transportation Committee to help get this bill done.”

“Congress must ensure that the Coast Guard has the resources and assets necessary to accomplish its missions, and this bipartisan bill attempts to meet that shared goal,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR).  “This legislation will help to strengthen the Coast Guard and improve maritime safety. It will also help FEMA carry out its core mission to support families, communities, and first responders when disasters or emergencies strike. I am extremely pleased that the legislation includes my provision to ensure FEMA leads efforts to prepare for and protect the Nation from earthquakes and tsunamis to save thousands of lives, countless injuries, and billions of dollars of damage.  I thank my colleagues for working together on this legislation, and I look forward to moving this measure forward and getting it signed into law.”

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee legislation passed today as part of the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act:

H.R. 2518, The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017: bipartisan legislation to reauthorize, strengthen, and support the United States Coast Guard in its critical missions to save lives, safeguard our shores, protect living marine resources, and help ensure a 21^st century maritime transportation system for America.

H.R. 2548, The FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2017: bipartisan legislation to address the rising costs of disasters in the United States, reduce the toll of future losses, and reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the first time in the agency’s history.