Commerce Committee Leaders Introduce Coast Guard Reauthorization Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and chairman of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, joined with Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), the committee chairman and ranking member, and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), the subcommittee ranking member, today to announce the introduction of S. 1611, the "Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015."

"The oceans that surround Florida provide a major source of economic activity and jobs, and the Coast Guard plays a key role in upholding the laws of the sea and protecting seafaring people," said Rubio. "This legislation will enhance the Coast Guard's ability to enforce vital maritime operations to counter illicit trafficking of weapons, narcotics and people. It's important that Congress move forward in passing this reauthorization bill so that the Coast Guard can continue its important work."

"This reauthorization maintains necessary support for the Coast Guard, a military branch with critical responsibilities than range from protecting our national security to enforcing maritime safety, drug interdiction, and critical search and rescue missions," Thune said. "Our committee has worked on a bipartisan basis to craft this legislation giving the men and women who patrol and protect our shores the tools they need to do their jobs."

"The Coast Guard is on watch every day saving lives and stopping drug traffickers," said Nelson. "This bill will ensure that continues by helping the agency replace its aging fleet of cutters, some of which are over 40 years old."

"The men and women of the Coast Guard put their lives on the line every day to safeguard lives and property at sea, keep our ports secure, and protect our marine environment both in New Jersey and all across our great country," Booker said. "As ranking member of the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard subcommittee, I am pleased to stand with my colleagues to introduce a bill that provides our Coast Guard with the resources they need to carry out their mission and ensure the safety of our nation by protecting our maritime interests around the world."