Coast Guard funding bill sent to president's desk

The U.S. House unanimously passed legislation this week designed to support and improve the U.S. Coast Guard to President Obama.

HR 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, funds the service branch and gives the Coast Guard, as well as the Federal Maritime Commission, the authority to modernize aging assets, including vessels, through 2017. The bill also contains provisions to modify U.S. maritime transportation laws.

The Senate passed the measure in December.

“I am pleased that the Coast Guard reauthorization bill is finally reaching the president’s desk,” Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, said. “The men and women of the Coast Guard are dedicated to their jobs and fulfill a critical mission every day, and this legislation will help ensure they continue to have the tools they need to be most effective. This bipartisan bill authorizes the Coast Guard for two years and strengthens its ability to recapitalize an aging fleet of cutters and aircraft that are decades past their prime. This legislation also addresses our maritime sector and makes quality regulatory changes to strengthen this important part of our economy. I am certain that we’ll have an even stronger and more efficient Coast Guard because of this bill, but, even so, the Coast Guard would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the brave men and women who serve and protect our shores and waterways.”