The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday approved bipartisan legislation that would authorize funding and strengthen operations for the U.S. Coast Guard through fiscal year 2029.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 4275) was approved during a legislative markup. The bill was introduced by Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), and Ranking Member Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.).
The legislation, which now moves to the House floor, aims to support Coast Guard operations, modernize infrastructure, enhance service member protections, and advance new technologies. It includes provisions to authorize appropriations for operations and the recapitalization of ships, aircraft, facilities, and IT systems.
The bill would establish a Secretary of the Coast Guard and modernize acquisition and recapitalization processes. It aims to promote autonomous technologies, strengthen protections against sexual assault and harassment, and support the U.S. shipbuilding industry through stricter U.S. build requirements. The bill would also expand access to merchant mariner credentials and update maritime safety and regulatory standards.
“This bill provides the men and women of the Coast Guard with the resources they need to carry out their missions, which are critical to ensuring maritime safety, enforcing U.S. laws at sea, and protecting our nation’s borders,” said Chairman Graves. “The legislation builds upon the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ... and it establishes a Coast Guard service secretary to provide the Coast Guard parity with other military services and a voice to advocate for its needs.”
Ranking Member Larsen said, "This bill ensures the Coast Guard has the resources it needs to remain mission-ready — preventing and responding to oil spills in the Puget Sound, preventing sexual assault and harassment, and more — and improve shoreside infrastructure while investing in the women and men who keep our seas safe.”
Subcommittee Chairman Ezell said, “This bipartisan bill provides the tools, training, and technology our service members need to stay mission-ready... It also builds on the Force Design 2028 strategy to prepare the Coast Guard for the evolving challenges of tomorrow. I’m especially proud that language to establish a Secretary of the Coast Guard, a bill I introduced, is included in this package, helping to ensure strong, accountable leadership at the highest levels of the service.”
Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal said, “This bipartisan bill delivers critical resources for the Coast Guard to carry out its missions, modernize infrastructure and safety systems, and enhance quality of life for our Coasties. Just as importantly, it renews our shared commitment to holding the service accountable for meaningful reforms to root out sexual assault and harassment from its ranks.”
In addition to H.R. 4275, the committee approved seven general services administration resolutions.
