Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. EZELL. Madam Chairman, I rise today to support this legislation which was introduced by Chairman Graves along with myself and Ranking Members Larsen and Carbajal.

This bill supports the efforts of the Coast Guard to protect the United States' waters, interdict drugs, stop human trafficking, and promote maritime safety.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes funding for the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2029 and makes critical investments to enable the service to meet its growing mission demands.

As the Coast Guard works to implement the service's future vision of Force Design 2028 and procure new vessels, aircraft, and shoreside infrastructure with the historic investments made in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, this legislation includes accountability for those investments and modernizes the contracting process within the service.

As the Coast Guard looks to grow its forces, this legislation will support the Coast Guard's efforts to boost recruiting and retention while supporting President Trump's vision to strengthen the domestic maritime base and boost the pool of qualified United States merchant mariners who can mobilize during times of crisis to operate sealift assets.

The legislation also gives the service an important voice by establishing a Coast Guard service secretary, as envisioned in my legislation, H.R. 2546, the Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025.

This measure also makes important reforms following the revelations of Operation Fouled Anchor, which was a report detailing improper handling of sexual assaults within the service. As a sheriff and a firsthand law enforcement officer, I have seen the harmful effects that happens to these victims.

I am pleased that the bill before us strengthens protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault, provides support to victims, and increases transparency within the service about the manner in which such cases are handled.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the work of Chairman Graves on this legislation along with Ranking Member Larsen and Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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