Congress·Passed House·H.R. 4275

House Passes Coast Guard Authorization Act, Expanding Service to 60,000 Members by 2029

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

8 months ago·View on Congress.gov

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

✓ House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

The bill sets a plan to grow the Coast Guard from about 44,500 members to 60,000 by the year 2029. This growth is intended to help the service better handle missions like sea rescues, stopping illegal drugs, and protecting the environment.
From policy text
“50,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, 55,000 for fiscal year 2027, and 60,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 and 2029”
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A major part of the law changes how the Coast Guard handles sexual assault and harassment. It requires the service to keep evidence for 50 years, makes it easier for victims to transfer to new locations for their safety, and creates a 'Safe-to-Report' rule so victims are not punished for minor mistakes when they come forward to report a crime.
The government will create a new civilian leadership position called the Secretary of the Coast Guard. This leader will report directly to the head of Homeland Security and help manage the service's budget and goals, similar to how the Navy and Army have their own civilian secretaries.
From policy text
“There is a Secretary of the Coast Guard, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”
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The policy provides billions of dollars for new ships and technology over the next five years. This includes building new icebreakers to keep the Great Lakes and Arctic waters open for travel, as well as using more drones and uncrewed systems to monitor the ocean.
From policy text
“``(i) $11,287,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; ``(ii) $11,851,875,000 for fiscal year 2026; ``(iii) $13,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; ``(iv) $14,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and ``(v) $15,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.'';”
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To support Coast Guard families, the bill updates rules for family leave and makes it easier to hire doctors and childcare workers for remote bases. It also adds more mental health specialists to help members deal with the stress of their high-pressure jobs.
From policy text
“The Commandant may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such chapter) of title 5, qualified candidates to any of the following positions in the competitive service (as defined in section 2102 of title 5) in the Coast Guard: ``(1) Any category of medical or health professional positions within the Coast Guard. ``(2) Any childcare services position.”
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National Security Foreign PolicyLabor EmploymentCivil RightsInfrastructure Transportation

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

5 milestones17 actions

Jul 23, 2025Senate

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

Jul 23, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jul 23, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 12 (Roll no. 218). (text: CR H3572-3617)

Jul 23, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 12 (Roll no. 218). (text: CR H3572-3617: 4)

Jul 23, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3622-3623)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2026-2027

New Secretary of the Coast Guard position established and organizational restructuring plan developed

The Coast Guard gets its own civilian secretary, similar to the Navy and Army, creating a new layer of civilian oversight and changing how the service is managed within the Department of Homeland Security

FY2025 through FY2029

Coast Guard begins growing toward 60,000 active-duty members

The Coast Guard is authorized to increase its force from about 44,500 to 50,000 members immediately, reaching 60,000 by FY2029, with major investments in recruiting, training, and infrastructure to support this growth

90 days to 1 year after enactment

Sexual assault and harassment reforms take effect across the Coast Guard

New evidence retention requirements (50 years for sexual assault cases), Safe-to-Report policies, expedited transfer processes, and strengthened victim protections begin rolling out, changing how the Coast Guard handles misconduct cases

Vote Results

1 vote

HousePassedProceduralJul 23, 2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

399

Democrat

202 – 0 · 10

Republican

197 – 12 · 9

View full roll call

Related News

4 articles

Military.com·8 months ago

Coast Guard Legislation Demands Accountability on Sexual Assault, Harassment

The 2025 Authorization Act codifies rules for handling sexual misconduct, including a 'Safe to Report' policy that prevents victims from being punished for minor infractions. The reforms follow reports of a decades-long cover-up of sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy.

Magnolia Tribune·6 months ago

Ezell leading charge to create first Secretary of the Coast Guard

Rep. Mike Ezell is championing a provision in the 2025 Authorization Act to establish a Secretary of the Coast Guard. The move is intended to give the service a civilian leader to advocate for its budget and strategic goals, similar to the leadership structure of the Navy and Army.

CR+

Baird Maritime·8 months ago

US House passes Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

The legislation authorizes funding through 2029 for the recapitalization of the cutter fleet and aviation assets. It includes provisions to create a Secretary of the Coast Guard, aiming for greater parity between the service and other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.