Republicans Want to Change When Thousands Could Be Forced Into Active Duty
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A new bill from House Republicans would change when the U.S. Coast Guard reserves, comprising about 7,000 reservists, can be called into active duty.
Why It Matters
The House Transportation Committee unveiled a spending bill this week that included changes to how the Coast Guard reserve would operate. If signed into law, the bill would give the Coast Guard commandant greater authority over when the reservists can be called into duty.
What To Know
The bill would include new funding for the Coast Guard, as well as a measure changing when its reservists can be called into duty.
The committee wrote in a statement that the proposal will "provide investments to bolster the U.S. Coast Guard's missions to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the country and protect our national security."
"When the Commandant determines that it is necessary to augment the active forces for a preplanned mission in support of Coast Guard requirements, the Commandant may, subject to subsection 16 (b), order any member of the Selected Reserve, without the consent of the member, to active duty for not more than 365 consecutive days," the bill reads.
A U.S. Coast Guard crew works at a base in Boston on June 22, 2023.
A U.S. Coast Guard crew works at a base in Boston on June 22, 2023.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
The change will give the Coast Guard "parity" with other branches of the armed forces, Justin Harclerode, director of communications for the committee, told Newsweek.
"Other armed forces can call up reserves in times of emergencies or for pre-planned activities. Currently, the USCG can only call up reserves in times of emergencies," he said. "So it adds the same 'pre-planned activities' call-up capability as the other services."
There are about 7,000 Coast Guard reservists, according to a 2020 demographic profile of the military.
The bill included $23 billion for the Coast Guard to purchase new assets to support those missions, including $571.5 million for fixed-wing aircraft and related parts and equipment, such as new aircraft, cutters, and other infrastructure.
What People Are Saying
Representative Sam Graves, the Missouri Republican who leads the committee, in a statement: "This proposal directly supports the President's border security agenda by providing historic funding to the United States Coast Guard in the Service's mission to keep illegal drugs and migrants out of our country. This measure also protects our national security by projecting American sovereignty in the Arctic, where China and Russia are aggressively increasing their activities.
"President Trump and Secretary Duffy are committed to the long-delayed modernization of our antiquated air traffic control system to strengthen American aviation safety, and this proposal begins the work of meeting that goal."
Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, and Jennifer Carpentter, president and CEO of American Waterways Operators, in a letter to the committee: "The proposed funding by your committee is a vital step toward strengthening the Coast Guard's ability to execute its broad mission set, ranging from border security, search and rescue operations and maritime law enforcement, to port security and Arctic presence."
What Happens Next
The bill still needs to pass Congress to become law, and it's unclear whether the large bill, which also addresses issues like removing climate change funding and increasing air traffic control infrastructure funding, has enough support to pass the narrowly divided House of Representatives. Already, Republicans are set to impose a $20 annual federal registration fee on all vehicles, Reuters reported.
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