Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act

The Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act would require the Coast Guard to be more transparent and strategic about its operations in the Indo-Pacific. It would add new sections to Title 14 that force the Commandant to (1) annually publish a planning document for Coast Guard activities in the Pacific (with objectives, capability assessments, demand projections, and resource needs) and (2) provide an annual, detailed budget display for Pacific operations tied to the most recent plan. The law would also Commission several forward-looking studies and reports: (a) feasibility of standing an Indo-Pacific maritime group modeled on NATO groups, (b) feasibility and planning for forward operating bases in the Indo-Pacific, (c) a report on Coast Guard attaches stationed at embassies in the region, and (d) a joint DoD/State/Navy consideration of having State consular officers join Coast Guard and Navy missions to Pacific Island countries. Overall, the bill aims to improve planning, budgeting, and coordination with State and Defense, while exploring new basing, liaison, and consular arrangements in the Indo-Pacific. The requirements would place new reporting and budgeting duties on the Coast Guard and would establish timelines (e.g., initial plan due by end of 2025, initial budget display and related briefings by Feb 2026, with annual iterations thereafter). If enacted, Congress would receive regular, structured visibility into Coast Guard needs and capabilities in the Pacific, as well as options for enhanced international cooperation and presence.