Subcommittee on Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation

Frank LoBiondo, Chairman

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee oversees laws related to the Coast Guard, shipping and all aspects of maritime transportation.

U.S. Coast Guard Authorization: On November 15, 2011, the House approved H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011, a bill introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo and Full Committee Chairman John L. Mica. This is a responsible measure providing the authorities and reforms necessary for the U.S. Coast Guard to effectively carry out its important and diverse missions, including search and rescue, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, oil spill prevention and response, marine safety, maintenance of navigation aids, icebreaking, enforcement of fisheries laws, and maritime defense readiness. The bill includes programmatic reforms to help ensure the service can better utilize resources and more efficiently replace its aging assets. The legislation also includes provisions to implement a uniform, national standard for the discharge of ballast water to replace the current costly and contradictory patchwork of regulations issued by nearly 30 states. Setting a single, reasonable standard will reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, foster job creation in the maritime sector, and improve the flow of commerce.

On June 7, 2012, continuing the work it began when the House passed H.R. 2838, the Committee passed H.R. 5887, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Authorization Act of 2012. This bill authorizes the funding for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015 at levels that reject the draconian cuts to the Service’s acquisitions program proposed by the Obama Administration. Like H.R. 2838, the bill includes new provisions to ensure parity between the Coast Guard and the other Services and includes needed regulatory relief for small businesses that will protect jobs and encourage growth in the maritime sector.

On September 22, 2012, the Senate took up H.R. 2838 and approved it with an amendment. The Transportation Committee is working to ensure that a final, responsible Coast Guard Reauthorization will be passed by both Houses of Congress and sent to the President. (more information)

The Piracy Suppression Act of 2011: H.R. 2839, the Piracy Suppression Act of 2011, was approved by the Committee on September 8, 2011. The bill bolsters the United States’ ability to counter piracy by strengthening existing authorities and providing the federal government with additional options, including increasing the penalty for piracy to include capital punishment. H.R. 2839 was introduced by Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo and co-sponsored by Full Committee Chairman Mica. Key provisions of this bill are included in the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011.

Maritime Transportation: The Committee supports the development of a national strategic transportation plan that includes a strong maritime transportation component and greater use of coastwise trade. Marine highways represent a cost effective but underutilized mode of transportation, and the Committee will examine ways to encourage the use of short-sea shipping, or shipping between domestic ports in the United States. This concept has the potential to create new maritime industry jobs for Americans.

Oil Spill Prevention and Response: The Coast Guard was the first federal agency to respond to the DEEPWATER HORIZON oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The service also assumed the role as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator and the National Incident Commander for the spill.

The Committee will work to ensure that the nation’s oil spill prevention and response capabilities protect the environment without threatening U.S. jobs. The Committee is also committed to ensuring that future deepwater drilling permits are not rubberstamped and that adequate technologies, more thorough inspections, better oversight and better planning are required for future exploration and drilling activities. We can provide responsible environmental safeguards while continuing to utilize domestic energy resources and ensuring vital energy sector jobs.