The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to fund and modernize the U.S. Coast Guard through fiscal year 2029.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 4275) passed with a vote of 399 to 12 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The legislation was introduced on July 2 by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., Ranking Member Rick Larsen, D-Wash., Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell, R-Miss., and Subcommittee Ranking Member Salud Carbajal, D-Calif.
The bill authorizes continued funding for Coast Guard operations, as well as the modernization of its fleet, aircraft, and shoreside infrastructure. It updates the service’s acquisition process, encourages the use of autonomous technologies, and enhances protections against sexual assault and harassment. The bill also calls for the creation of a Coast Guard Secretary, strengthens U.S.-build requirements for vessels, and modifies maritime safety and credentialing laws to expand the pool of U.S. merchant mariners.
“The Coast Guard Authorization Act provides the men and women of the Coast Guard with the resources they need to carry out their many missions, including protecting our nation’s maritime borders, preventing illegal drugs and migrants from entering the country, and ensuring maritime safety,” said Graves. “This legislation builds on the historic investments in modernizing the Coast Guard’s air and sea assets provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and it supports the administration’s vision to strengthen America’s maritime and shipbuilding capabilities.”
“Today's floor passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 will ensure the Coast Guard has the resources it needs to remain mission ready — preventing and responding to oil spills in the Puget Sound and beyond, preventing sexual assault and harassment and more — and improve shoreside infrastructure while investing in the women and men who keep our seas safe," said Larsen.
“This legislation builds off the $25 billion dollar investment in reconciliation and follows the strong vision of Coast Guard Force Design 2028. H.R. 4275 strengthens our national security, supports maritime jobs, ensures safe navigation, and protects our natural resources,” said Ezell, who called the bill “a win for Mississippi, a win for the Gulf Coast, and a win for the country.”
“The legislation will deliver 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,” said Carbajal.
