# 119-s-1577: 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.

119-s-1577, 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., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (R-AK); status introduced (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1577
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1577
- Congress: 119
- Title: 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.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-05-01
- Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (R-AK)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## 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. - 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.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Allow some Coast Guard ships abroad: mixed, low. 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. T…

## Related bills

- 119-s-2431: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-4976: Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-2022: Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2025
- 119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-1577 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1577)

## Related
- [119-s-2431: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Ac…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2431)
- [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120)
- [119-s-4976: Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4976)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-2022: Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2022)
- [119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-306)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1577 (as of 2026-09-10).