Coast Guard Improvement Act of 2025
Coast Guard Improvement Act of 2025 would create a new civilian position, the Secretary of the Coast Guard, who would head the Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Secretary would be appointed by the President with Senate confirmation and would report directly to the Homeland Security Secretary. The bill also preserves the Coast Guard’s capability to operate as a Navy service, but when that occurs, the Commandant would report to the Secretary of the Navy. Congress would be asked to approve a detailed reorganization plan within 30 days of enactment to transfer responsibilities, assets, and funding to the Office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and to adjust related statutes (Titles 6, 10, and 14, and the Homeland Security Act of 2002) accordingly. The Secretary of the Coast Guard would have broad authority over Coast Guard personnel and operations, including recruiting, training, budgeting, and policy direction, while remaining subject to the overall direction of the DHS. In short, the bill would elevate civilian leadership of the Coast Guard, restructure how the Coast Guard is governed within DHS (with a parallel pathway to Navy service when applicable), and require a comprehensive plan to implement the changes, including transferring functions and assets and adjusting legal authorities across several title changes.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a Secretary of the Coast Guard (civilian, appointed by the President with Senate approval) who heads the Coast Guard and reports directly to the DHS Secretary; defines general powers and responsibilities for this role.
- 2Reorganizes the Commandant’s role and reporting structure: the Commandant would report to the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and some duties are aligned with the new department leadership; when the Coast Guard operates as a Navy service, the Commandant would report to the Secretary of the Navy.
- 3Amends multiple laws to implement the shift: changes to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (and related sections in Titles 6, 10, and 14 of the U.S. Code) to rename and realign leadership, authority, and reporting lines for the Coast Guard.
- 4Civilian leadership requirements and restrictions: the Secretary of the Coast Guard would be a civilian appointee, with a qualification emphasis on management/leadership experience, and a five-year cooling-off period prohibiting appointment of someone recently relieved from active-duty military service.
- 5Reorganization Plan and transition: requires a DHS-backed plan within 30 days of enactment detailing how to transfer personnel, responsibilities (including potential transfers from Title 10 and Title 14 authorities), property/assets, and funding to the Office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard; outlines steps and timelines, including consideration of Coast Guard key roles when operating as a Navy service and which committees of Congress will review.