Carbajal Statement on House Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following House passage of bipartisan legislation to strengthen, support, and authorize funding through 2029 for the United States Coast Guard and its critical missions to safeguard the nation’s shorelines, facilitate maritime commerce, ensure maritime safety, and more. Carbajal is the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Coast Guard, including its duties, organization, functions, and powers.

“Every single day, the Coast Guard goes to work to protect seafarers and beachgoers, and reinforce our national defense. As the top Democrat on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I’m proud this bipartisan bill is moving forward. 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 Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal.

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes appropriations for the Service through fiscal year 2029.  These authorizations will support Coast Guard operations and the continued recapitalization of its historically underfunded cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. The bill modernizes the Coast Guard’s acquisition process, increases transparency and accountability in the Service’s recapitalization efforts, and opens a pathway to the adoption of next-generation autonomous technologies.

The bill also creates greater parity with the other armed services, including the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard and stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment, based on legislation the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced last Congress following the Service’s Operation Fouled Anchor.

Furthermore, the legislation strengthens U.S.-Build requirements and improves accountability to better ensure a healthy, robust U.S. shipbuilding industry, while also making changes to maritime safety laws, amending requirements for merchant mariner credentials to facilitate an increase in the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners, increasing vessel safety, and improving regulatory processes.

Click here for more information about the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.