Loading video...
Source: Congress.gov
Summary
No summary available.
Participants
Transcript
I'll call the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure to order pursuant to Committee Rule 6F and House Rule 11, Clause 2HF. The Chairman may postpone further proceedings today on any question of approving any measure of matter or adopting an amendment on which a recorded vote, the ayes and nays are ordered. I'd ask unanimous consent that the Chairman be authorized to declare recess at any time during today's meeting. Without objection, that is so ordered. All bill and amendment texts have been distributed electronically and paper copies are also available here in the hearing room. As a reminder, the committee may use an electronic system for any requested recorded votes. Today, the committee has considered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and General Services Administration Capital Investment Leasing Program Resolutions. Finally, I'd ask unanimous consent for the committee to use an amendments roster for any items under consideration by the committee. Without objection, that is so ordered. First item for consideration is HR 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. I'd ask unanimous consent to discharge a subcommittee on Coast Guard maritime transportation from further consideration of HR 4275. Without objection, that is so ordered. I now call up the bill for consideration. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. So the bill is now considered as read and open for amendment at any point. I now recognize myself to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Please designate.
Without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read and shall be considered as base text for the purposes of further amendment. Now recognize myself for a statement. So the bill before us provides the men and women of the Coast Guard with the authorities and resources that they need to carry out their missions, which are critical to ensuring maritime safety, enforcing United States laws that say and protecting our nation's borders. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes the Coast Guard funding for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The bill will support Coast Guard operations and enable the service to continue its efforts to recapitalize its cutter fleet, its shoreline facilities, and IT capabilities. The legislation builds upon Reconciliation Act that was signed into law by President Trump two weeks ago, which provided historic investments for new air and sea assets and upgrade the seashore or shoreside infrastructure. The legislation establishes a Coast Guard service secretary providing the Coast Guard parity with other military services and ensuring that the service has a voice to advocate for its needs. The bill also advocates the administration's vision to strengthen our domestic maritime sector by facilitating an increase in the pool of qualified United States merchant mariners. Furthermore, the legislation holds the Coast Guard accountable for its past failures protect the members of the service from sexual assault and sexual harassment by promoting greater transparency and strengthening the protections for service members. As we all know, the men and women of the Coast Guard often go above and beyond the call of duty, including when responding to emergencies and disasters. This fact was clearly demonstrated during the response to the tragic flooding in Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Petty Officer Scott Ruskin and the Rescue A 65-53 air crew were first on the scene at Camp Mystic, a girls' camp that was caught in the catastrophic flooding, and they helped save over 165 lives.
These men and all Coast Guard rescue swimmers are heroes, and it is this committee's responsibility to make sure that they and other heroic men and women who serve in the Coast Guard have the resources that they need to carry out their mission. And I appreciate Ranking Member Larson, Subcommittee Chair Ezell, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal for working to reach a bipartisan agreement on the bill. I would urge their support for this legislation, all of my colleagues who support this legislation with that, I yield back and recognize Rick for statement.
Thank you, Chair. I'm pleased to speak in support of H.R. 4275, the ANS for H.R. 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. It is bipartisan legislation to reauthorize funding for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 25 through 29, and to update programs to help address the persistent issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Coast Guard. The bill under consideration today is a result of productive bipartisan negotiations with Chair Graves, Chair Ezell, and Ranking Member Carvajal. Each of their thoughtful contributions have improved the bill. I appreciate the bipartisan collaboration. This bill also incorporates priorities from Democratic and Republican members, both on the committee and off the committee.
Sign up for free to see the full transcript
Accounts help us prevent bots from abusing our site. Accounts are free and will allow you to access the full transcript.