Sponsors (2)
The bill centralizes civilian leadership and oversight of the Coast Guard and forces a quick DHS reorganization timeline to improve accountability, but risks short‑term operational confusion, added administrative costs, and limits on experienced military candidates for the new civilian leadership role.
Coast Guard personnel and federal employees gain a dedicated, Senate‑confirmed civilian head, creating a single civilian leader intended to streamline leadership and provide clearer accountability.
Clarifies reporting lines so the Commandant reports to a civilian Secretary, which strengthens civilian oversight of Coast Guard operations and may improve alignment with civilian policy priorities.
Requires DHS to deliver a reorganization plan within 30 days, giving Congress and stakeholders a concrete timetable and specifics for implementation.
Transferring authorities and changing statutory cross‑references between DHS, DOD, and the Navy could create short‑term legal and operational confusion that disrupts missions and coordination across federal, state, and local authorities.
A five‑year bar on appointing recently relieved regular commissioned officers to the new civilian role may exclude experienced military leaders from consideration and complicate leadership transitions.
Creating a new Cabinet‑level position and associated staff will likely increase federal administrative costs, which are borne by taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Senate‑confirmed civilian Secretary of the Coast Guard, transfers statutory authorities to that Secretary, makes the Commandant subordinate, and requires a DHS reorganization plan.
Introduced March 27, 2025 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress March 27, 2025
Creates a new, Senate‑confirmed civilian Secretary of the Coast Guard who will hold principal authority over the Coast Guard and shifts many authorities and reporting lines now exercised through the Secretary of Homeland Security to that new Secretary. The Commandant of the Coast Guard is made explicitly subordinate to and in an assisting role to the new civilian Secretary, with an exception when the Coast Guard operates as a service of the Navy. The Department of Homeland Security must submit a reorganization plan within 30 days identifying personnel, transfers, funds, assets, an effective date, and any needed legislation to implement the change.