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119-s-1577119th Congress

A bill to amend section 1151 of title 14, United States Code, to modify the restriction on construction of Coast Guard vessels in foreign shipyards.

Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

Introduced

Summary

Permits limited, tightly defined exceptions to the ban on building Coast Guard vessels abroad. It would let the President authorize construction or purchase of certain ships from allied foreign yards when national security, cost, and schedule justify it.

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  • Coast Guard and missions: Would allow faster or cheaper foreign builds when a domestic yard would be more than 18 months slower and a foreign yard has shown capacity over the prior five years. Exceptions require specific findings about cost, schedule, allied status, and capability.
  • Domestic shipyards and workers: Could reduce some U.S. new-build contracts if foreign yards meet the cost and timeline tests. That may shift some procurement work away from domestic builders.
  • Foreign shipyards and partner governments: Only NATO members or countries party to an active U.S. defense treaty in the Indo-Pacific would qualify. Acquiring a completed foreign vessel also requires a warranty from that country to the U.S. government.
  • Congress and oversight: The President must certify exceptions in coordination with the Commandant and notify Congress with a 30-day waiting period before a contract can proceed. Contracts lacking the required certification remain prohibited.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Allow some Coast Guard ships abroad

If enacted, this bill would let the Coast Guard buy some ships built abroad. The Secretary could acquire a finished vessel from a foreign shipyard if that yard is in NATO or covered by an active U.S. defense treaty in the Indo‑Pacific and the foreign government provides a warranty for the vessel. The President could also approve other national security exceptions after certifying four required findings and notifying Congress. The President must notify Congress and wait 30 days before any contract under an exception can be made. The certification must show treaty status, a lower cost than domestic yards, a delivery timeline more than 18 months faster, and a five‑year track record building similar mission ships.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

AK • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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