A trio of senators has introduced a bill intending to create a leadership position for the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act would establish a secretary of the U.S. Coast Guard, mirroring a position across all other branches of the armed forces.

According to the legislation’s text, the position would report to the secretary of Homeland Security and take over many of the interactions the service had with the Pentagon.

“The Coast Guard has a unique and highly specialized mission to protect our country from threats posed by smugglers, drug traffickers, terrorists, and other lawbreakers, and it deserves a service secretary to oversee and coordinate its operations, just like every other branch of the military,” Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. said.

The bill, also backed by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., comes as the Coast Guard currently has no dedicated leadership position.

“The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard are critical to our national defense and security, which is why they deserve the same strategic organization as other branches of our military,” Tuberville added. “Having a permanent Coast Guard Secretary will make the organization even more effective and enhance our national security.”

More here

Tagged: Capitol Hill BACK TO HOMEPAGE