South Lake Today

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, a bipartisan legislation developed by the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. The bill, chaired by Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, supports the Coast Guard's mission to safeguard the nation's border, facilitate maritime commerce, and ensure maritime safety.

Subcommittee Chairman Webster stated that "the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 provides the necessary investments and authorities required to maintain the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out its critical missions." He further highlighted that these investments would strengthen the Service’s ability to protect Florida's maritime border while addressing recruiting challenges and replacing crumbling shoreside infrastructure.

T&I Committee Chairman Graves expressed his support for the men and women of the Coast Guard in their efforts to meet an ever-growing set of challenges. These include ensuring maritime trade safety, enforcing U.S. laws at sea, protecting national borders, countering Chinese influence in the Pacific, developing a redefined role in the Arctic, and countering human trafficking and drug influx into the country.

Ranking Member Larsen emphasized that passing this bipartisan bill is a crucial step towards providing adequate resources for servicemembers' welfare and carrying out missions at sea. He also noted that it holds the Coast Guard accountable for its sexual assault and harassment mitigation efforts.

Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal praised the daily work of the Coast Guard on a broad range of missions essential for national security. He reiterated his commitment to advancing bipartisan legislation that supports infrastructure upgrades and improves life quality for servicemembers.

The Act authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to support operations and enable recapitalization of historically underfunded assets like cutter fleets, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. It also authorizes additional air and sea assets including two Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), two Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), a Polar Security Cutter (PSC), two missionized HC-130J aircraft, and MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft.

Furthermore, the Act includes the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act of 2024, introduced by Congressman Webster and Ranking Member Larsen. This addition aims to strengthen sexual assault and harassment protections for Coast Guard members while ensuring greater accountability and transparency.