Coast Guard Improvement Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1190
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-21T01:53:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Coast Guard Improvement Act of 2025 aims to create a dedicated civilian leadership position for the U.S. Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This would elevate the Coast Guard's administrative and management structure by establishing a Secretary of the Coast Guard, who would oversee its operations while reporting to the DHS Secretary, to improve efficiency, focus, and coordination.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Secretary of the Coast Guard:
- A new civilian position appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, serving as the head of the Coast Guard.
- The Secretary would handle core functions like recruiting, organizing, equipping, training, maintaining, and administering the Coast Guard, including morale and welfare of personnel.
- Reports directly to the DHS Secretary at all times, with authority to delegate duties to under or assistant secretaries.
- When the Coast Guard operates as part of the Navy (e.g., during wartime), the Secretary can advise the Navy Secretary.
- Limitation: Cannot be a recently retired military officer (within 5 years of active duty).
- Role of the Commandant:
- The Commandant (a military officer) would assist the new Secretary and report directly to them, focusing on operational duties like preparing for missions, investigating efficiency, and executing plans.
- When operating under the Navy, the Commandant reports to the Navy Secretary.
- Reorganization Plan:
- DHS Secretary must submit a plan to Congress within 30 days of enactment, detailing:
- Personnel assignments to the new Secretary's office.
- Transfers of responsibilities from the DHS Secretary or Commandant to the new Secretary.
- Legislative recommendations for shifting duties under existing laws (e.g., Titles 10 and 14 of the U.S. Code, and navigation laws).
- Handling of property, contracts, records, and funds.
- An effective date and any other needed elements.
- The plan considers the Coast Guard's dual role (DHS peacetime, Navy wartime) and can be modified with congressional input.
- Reporting and Powers:
- The new Secretary can make recommendations to Congress after informing the DHS Secretary and has powers to assign personnel, change titles, and issue regulations.
- Ensures cooperation with other military branches to avoid duplication.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amendments to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.): Inserts a new subsection for the Secretary of the Coast Guard in Section 103, redefines the Commandant's role, and updates reporting lines (e.g., direct to the new Secretary, with Navy exceptions).
- Changes to Title 10, U.S. Code (Armed Forces): Replaces references to the DHS Secretary with the new Coast Guard Secretary in sections on armed forces definitions and Navy organization.
- Changes to Title 14, U.S. Code (Coast Guard): Expands Section 501 to establish the Secretary's broad responsibilities, restructures the Commandant's functions in Section 505 to be supportive, and makes conforming updates (e.g., cross-references).
- These shifts transfer administrative oversight from the DHS Secretary and Commandant to the new civilian Secretary, clarifying the Coast Guard's chain of command without altering its overall placement in DHS.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could streamline Coast Guard management within DHS by providing dedicated civilian leadership, potentially reducing bureaucratic overlap and improving policy implementation, budgeting, and coordination with the Department of Defense. Requires short-term reorganization, including staff and resource shifts.
- On Citizens: May enhance Coast Guard effectiveness in domestic roles like maritime safety, search and rescue, environmental protection, and port security, leading to better public services without direct cost increases (funds are reallocated).
- On International Relations: Limited direct impact, but could strengthen U.S. maritime security posture through more efficient operations, aiding international cooperation on issues like drug interdiction or counter-piracy when the Coast Guard supports naval missions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Coast Guard Personnel and Leadership: Military members and civilians under the new Secretary's direct authority; Commandant and officers see redefined roles focused on operations.
- Department of Homeland Security: DHS Secretary loses some direct control over Coast Guard administration but gains a specialized subordinate; requires internal reorganization.
- Department of the Navy and Defense: Affected during wartime transfers, with advisory input from the Coast Guard Secretary.
- Congress: Gains a reorganization plan for review and potential further legislation; committees (e.g., Commerce, Science, and Transportation) oversee implementation.
- General Public and Maritime Industries: Indirectly benefit from potentially more responsive Coast Guard services in navigation, trade, and safety.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Amends multiple U.S. Code titles to clarify authority without disrupting the Coast Guard's statutory missions; the reorganization plan ensures smooth transitions, including asset transfers, to avoid legal gaps in navigation or security laws.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Article II's appointment clause via presidential nomination and Senate confirmation; maintains civilian control over the military by requiring a civilian Secretary.
- Political: Introduced bipartisansally (by Sen. Scott and Sen. Capito), it could foster consensus on homeland security enhancements but may spark debates on departmental restructuring and resource allocation during congressional reviews. No overt partisan elements in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Coast Guard Improvement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (14 pages)