The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that authorizes funding that enhances Coast Guard operations.
The Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 was passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. It would help the Coast Guard replace and modernize its cutters as well as its physical and cyber infrastructure.
In addition, the bill includes provisions from the Safer Seas Act which would help fight sexual assault and harassment in the maritime industry.
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure leaders applaud the bill’s passage.
“Our bill will help the Coast Guard keep our coastal communities safe, support our ports and waterways, protect our marine environment, fight drug trafficking, and respond quickly to dangerous emergencies and disasters,” U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) committee chairman, said. “Importantly, this bill also includes provisions from the Safer Seas Act, which takes necessary steps toward eliminating sexual violence in the maritime industry and better protecting survivors.”
“In tandem with our defense policy bill that includes critical support for our service members and military families, our bipartisan measure makes sure we have the backs of the Coasties who wake up every day with a broad range of critical missions that keep our seas and shores safe,” U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), subcommittee chairman on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, said.