Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. I am proud to have played a part in its development and passage out of committee. I appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Webster. This legislation is an example of how working together in a bipartisan way can result in good legislation.

As one of the six branches of the armed services, the U.S. Coast Guard protects our national security and is an essential asset to DoD missions overseas. Often facilitating diplomatic relations resulting from unique authorities, the Coast Guard fosters partnerships with other countries not easily achieved by other branches. This bill will renew and enhance support for critical missions of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Every day, coasties work to safeguard our economic interests and ensure the fluidity of the marine transportation system. They maintain our Nation's waterways for the sake of commerce and human and environmental safety. Time after time, these brave coasties have demonstrated their resourcefulness, but they need our support.

The increased funding in today's bill signals our confidence in the Coast Guard and begins down the road to providing the resources coasties need to successfully complete their missions.

The Coast Guard is facing a precarious future with an aging fleet, crumbling infrastructure, and a recruiting shortfall.

In order to grow the service, we must ensure servicemembers are safe from harm, trust their leadership, and receive the benefits they have earned. That is why H.R. 7659 includes the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act of 2024, which will hold the Coast Guard accountable and ensure transparency in the wake of Operation Fouled Anchor and efforts by the service to hide decades' worth of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

This legislation begins to address the worsening mariner shortage by authorizing the modernization of the mariner credentialing system and modernizing mariner eligibility. This bill will provide long-term, sustainable jobs for American mariners.

I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on this important legislation, and I look forward to seeing it passed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's concern about our shared commitment to rapidly develop clean energy. I also believe that the American maritime industry should play a meaningful role in the development and maintenance of offshore energy. If everyone comes together to negotiate a compromise, I believe everyone's concerns can be addressed.

Ranking Member Larsen and I are committed to finding that compromise, but it is important that all stakeholders, including offshore wind developers, come to the table to accomplish that.

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Mr. CARBAJAL.

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Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and subcommittee Chair Webster.

I would also like to thank our bipartisan staff on the Republican side John Rayfield, Reed Linsk, Cameron Humphrey, Nicole Bredariol, and Ian Orr; and on the Democratic side Matt Dwyer, Cheryl Dickson, and Johanna Montiel of my staff.
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Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for this bipartisan legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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