Senate approves reauthorization of U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Senate approved the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (HR 4188), which reauthorizes the funds for the U.S. Coast Guard for the next two years, Dec. 18.

The Senate updated the bill so that it now includes portions of HR 1987, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed May 18. There were also provisions from S. 1611 included in the new bill; S. 1611 was passed by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the summer of 2015.

The purpose of the bill is to maintain the safety of U.S. borders.

“This bill supports keeping America safe,” U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said. “On a bipartisan basis, we have worked together to give the brave men and women who serve in the Coast Guard the tools they need to do their jobs and protect our shores."

The U.S. Coast Guard is an important line of defense for keeping Americans safe.

“Ensuring the Coast Guard is properly equipped is a matter of national security,” U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said. “This bill will bolster their efforts to keep mariners safe and our waters secure from terrorists and drug smugglers.”