Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4952
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-07T08:05:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act (H.R. 4952) aims to allow limited exceptions to the U.S. law prohibiting the construction of Coast Guard vessels in foreign shipyards. This is intended to improve the readiness of the Coast Guard by enabling faster and more cost-effective vessel production through trusted international partners, while maintaining national security safeguards.
Key Provisions
- Presidential Authorization: The President may approve exceptions to the foreign shipyard ban if deemed in the national security interest of the United States.
- Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Shipyards:
- The shipyard must be located in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member country or an Indo-Pacific country that has a mutual defense treaty with the U.S. (e.g., allies like Japan or Australia).
- The construction cost must be lower than if done in a U.S. shipyard.
- Congressional Notification: The President must notify Congress of any such approval, and no contract can be awarded until 30 days after Congress receives the notice.
- Certification Requirement: Before construction begins, the Coast Guard Commandant (the leader of the U.S. Coast Guard) must certify to Congress that the foreign shipyard is not owned or operated by a Chinese company or a multinational company based in the People's Republic of China.
- Scope: The exception applies to full vessels or major components of their hulls or superstructures (the upper parts of the ship).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 1151(b) of Title 14, U.S. Code (which governs the Coast Guard), by replacing the previous subsection with these new exception rules. Previously, the law strictly prohibited foreign construction without such flexible exceptions.
- Adds a cross-reference in Section 8679(a) of Title 10, U.S. Code (which covers the Navy), to align it with the updated Coast Guard provisions, ensuring consistency across military-related shipbuilding laws.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Coast Guard could acquire vessels more quickly and affordably, potentially enhancing operational readiness for missions like maritime security and disaster response. The President and Commandant gain new decision-making authority, but with built-in oversight.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits may include improved national defense and coast guard services, though it could affect U.S. jobs in domestic shipbuilding if contracts shift abroad.
- On International Relations: Strengthens ties with NATO and Indo-Pacific allies by allowing collaborative shipbuilding, while explicitly excluding China to counter potential security risks from adversarial nations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Coast Guard: Primary beneficiary, as it enables more efficient vessel procurement.
- President and Executive Branch: Gains authority to approve exceptions, balanced by reporting requirements.
- Congress: Retains oversight through notifications, waiting periods, and required certifications.
- U.S. Shipbuilding Industry: May face competition from foreign yards, potentially leading to job losses or reduced domestic contracts.
- Allied Nations: Shipyards in NATO or U.S. treaty partner countries could gain new business opportunities.
- Chinese Companies: Explicitly barred, limiting their involvement in U.S. projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Introduces a targeted waiver to a long-standing protectionist law on domestic manufacturing (often called the "Buy American" principle for ships), emphasizing cost savings and alliances over strict isolation. The 30-day congressional review period provides a check on executive power without veto authority.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in regulating commerce and military affairs (Article I powers) while delegating limited discretion to the President (consistent with foreign affairs authority under Article II).
- Political: Could spark debate over balancing economic protectionism for U.S. workers against strategic needs in a competitive global environment, particularly amid tensions with China. It promotes alliances in key regions like the Indo-Pacific, reflecting broader U.S. foreign policy priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-08-12: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-08-12: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-08-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act — issued 2025-08-12 — PDF (3 pages)