| THE RUNWAY: JULY RECAP |
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| ONE BIG BEUTIFUL BILL ACT SIGNED INTO LAW | |
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| COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT PASSED BY HOUSE | |
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After the passage of historic funding for the Coast Guard in the One Big Beautiful Bill, the House approved bipartisan legislation to strengthen, support, and authorize funding through 2029 for the Service. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 provides funding through fiscal year 2029, supporting the Coast Guard’s operations and the modernization of its aging assets, including cutters, aircraft, shore facilities, and IT systems. The bill enhances acquisition processes, promotes transparency in recapitalization efforts, and enables the adoption of advanced autonomous technologies. It also establishes a Secretary of the Coast Guard and strengthens protections against sexual assault and harassment, aligning the Service more closely with other armed forces. Additionally, the legislation reinforces U.S.-build requirements to support domestic shipbuilding, updates maritime safety laws, streamlines merchant mariner credentialing, and improves regulatory practices to expand the qualified mariner workforce and boost vessel safety. Read more about the legislation here. |
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| HEARING WITH TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DUFFY | |
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The T&I Committee held a hearing with Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, whose testimony ranged from the Trump Administration’s efforts to modernize the air traffic control (ATC) system, priorities for a surface transportation reauthorization, the importance of streamlining infrastructure project delivery, the need to strengthen American shipbuilding, and more. Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) highlighted that the Committee provided a $12.5 billion down payment through the One Big Beautiful Bill to modernize ATC systems in response to recent aviation accidents and years of FAA underinvestment. Chairman Graves said in his opening statement that he looks forward to collaborating with the Administration to ensure this funding advances the plan for a state-of-the-art ATC system. T&I is also working hard in preparation for the upcoming bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization. “This Committee has a prime opportunity to refocus on core infrastructure that moves people and goods safely and efficiently, cut red tape and accelerate project delivery, ensure states have the flexibility they need to address their priorities, and shore up the bankrupt Highway Trust Fund,” said Chairman Graves. Among the surface transportation priorities Secretary Duffy noted were a focus on innovation, an emphasis on cost-effectiveness, and the efficiency with which projects are delivered. “There’s too many stories across your districts about the timeframe that it takes to build a project because of all the requirements that are put around the money that’s given for the specific project,” said Duffy. Read more about Republican Members’ Q&A with Secretary Duffy here.
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| SUBCOMMITTEE HEARINGS | |
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The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing on the President’s budget proposal for the Federal Maritime Commission and its efforts to ensure a competitive ocean transportation system. The FMC is an independent agency that oversees ocean shipping in U.S. foreign trade and protects against unfair practices by foreign shipping alliances. The President’s 2026 budget requests $40 million for its operations. In response to President Trump’s Executive Order to strengthen U.S. maritime power, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) stated, “We are working to bolster our domestic maritime capabilities, which are paramount to both the security and economic growth of our nation.” Additional information about the hearing is available here.
Fixing Emergency Management: Examining Improvements to FEMA’s Disaster Response Amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of the nation’s disaster response system, the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee held a hearing to evaluate how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can become more effective in responding to disasters and examine the nation’s current state of disaster readiness, response, and recovery. T&I leaders also introduced the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025, legislation aiming to deliver the most significant reform of FEMA and federal disaster aid in decades. The bill responds to ongoing concerns from officials and disaster victims about a system that’s too slow, complex, and cumbersome. It seeks to cut red tape, streamline programs, increase flexibility, and refocus FEMA on supporting state-led recovery and coordinating federal help when needed. Additional information about the hearing is available here.
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| MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT |
 Rep. Brian Babin |
During the hearing with Secretary Duffy, Rep. Babin asked the Secretary to elaborate on the Administration’s prioritization of providing an adequate amount of safe and accessible truck parking – also a priority for many Committee Members. Duffy responded that the Administration is going to continue to work with Congress, stating that they are actively working to ensure that America’s truck drivers are treated fairly and have the resources they need to operate safely and efficiently.
 Rep. Tim Burchett |
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Rep. Webster for The Washington Times: Give U.S. Coast Guard the tools it needs to do the job
Rep. Fong for the Fresno Bee: A new highway bill provides a huge opportunity to Central Valley economy
FOX News: Coast Guard overhaul takes off amid Trump administration’s immigration, narcotics crackdown
Wake Up America: Rep. Troy E. Nehls Joins Wake Up America on Newsmax
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