Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Jul 23, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

This legislation sets the annual budget and operational mandates for the Coast Guard, directly impacting the agency's ability to perform search and rescue, drug interdiction, and port security missions while dictating pay, housing, and behavioral health support for service members.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Coast Guard Personnel

Service members are subject to new policies regarding leave, housing, behavioral health, and career flexibility.

Maritime Industry

Commercial vessel operators and mariners are subject to updated credentialing, safety, and navigation requirements.

Tribal and Native Hawaiian Communities

A new Special Advisor to the Commandant is established to focus on affairs related to these groups.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill outlines the funding, organizational structure, and operational priorities for the U.S. Coast Guard for the upcoming fiscal year. It covers a wide range of mandates, including personnel benefits, acquisition of new vessels and aircraft, and updated safety regulations for maritime navigation.

Why It Matters

This legislation sets the annual budget and operational mandates for the Coast Guard, directly impacting the agency's ability to perform search and rescue, drug interdiction, and port security missions while dictating pay, housing, and behavioral health support for service members.

Key Facts

Authorizes annual appropriations for Coast Guard operations and military strength levels.
Establishes the position of 'Secretary of the Coast Guard'.
Mandates new oversight and reporting requirements for major acquisitions, including polar security cutters and aircraft.
Creates a Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs.
Implements new personnel policies including family leave, maternity uniform allowances, and behavioral health support.
Restricts the acquisition or construction of Coast Guard vessels in foreign shipyards.
Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.
Requires the development of preparedness plans for properties located in tsunami inundation zones.
Authorizes a pilot program for tuition assistance and advanced education for personnel.
Directs the Coast Guard to provide naloxone for opioid overdose treatment and establish related policies.
Requires specific safety and security upgrades for the Coast Guard Academy, including room security and medical privacy rooms.
Mandates studies on Great Lakes icebreaking and the condition of aids to navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill change how Coast Guard members are paid or supported?

Yes, it includes provisions for family leave, maternity uniform allowances, housing, behavioral health support, and a tuition assistance pilot program.

How does this bill affect the acquisition of new ships?

It mandates stricter oversight for major acquisitions, requires regular updates on s, and prohibits the construction of vessels in foreign shipyards.

Are there new rules for maritime safety?

Yes, the bill includes provisions for vessel safety, pilotage water designations, and new regulations regarding autonomous maritime systems.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Voting Record

Outcome not reportedhouse7/23/2025voteview

Total

411

Yes

399

No

12

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

How they voted (411)

+ 387 more

Full roll-call analysis →

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Autonomous Systems

The bill shows a significant legislative push toward integrating and governing uncrewed maritime systems, evidenced by the creation of a new National Advisory Committee and multiple pilot programs.

National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems

Connected Entities

personMr. Larsen“Co-sponsor from Washington.”Map →

personMr. Carbajal“Co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

personMr. Graves“Primary sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.”Map →

organizationCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure“The House committee to which the bill was referred.”Map →

personMr. Ezell“Co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.congress.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level