Garamendi Hails Passage of Legislation that Includes his Coast Guard Blue Technology Bill

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hailed the passage in the House of Representatives of S. 756, the "Save Our Seas Act" authored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). As amended by the House, this legislation incorporates a bipartisan bill originally authored and introduced by Garamendi as H.R. 6206, the Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise Act. This bill would require the Coast Guard to create a "Blue Technology Center of Expertise" to promote awareness and adoption of technologies, such as autonomous drones and ocean observation platforms, that could help the Coast Guard perform its missions with more efficiency and effectiveness.

"I'm very pleased that the whole House of Representatives recognizes the vital importance of increasing the Cost Guard's access to vital new blue water technologies that will improve mission performance, allow for more efficient use of resources, and help preserve fragile marine ecosystems," said Garamendi. The Coast Guard has an essential national security and public safety mission, but it is often overlooked by policymakers. As a consequence, it is consistently underfunded and forced to rely on limited, outdated technology and resources. The Coast Guard must be able to take advantage of new, emerging technologies in order to perform the missions we take for granted every day. The passage of this language will help make that a reality."

S. 756, as amended, passed the House unanimously on voice vote, and must now be passed by the Senate. A vote has not yet been scheduled, but is anticipated.

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