SC Alaska News

The Senate has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2026. The legislation, which was supported by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries Subcommittee, authorizes $14.8 billion for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2025 and $15.5 billion for fiscal year 2026.

Senator Sullivan noted that this act features 14 provisions he authored, many with a focus on Alaska. He highlighted recent investments: "My colleagues on the Commerce Committee and I have crafted a strong Coast Guard bill that builds on the historic $25 billion investment in the Coast Guard that I championed in the budget reconciliation bill we passed this summer—the largest investment in the Coast Guard in U.S. history. With these investments, our country is making great strides in fulfilling our commitment to this branch of the U.S. military with the support, funding and attention the Coast Guard deserves," said Sen. Sullivan.

He emphasized Alaska's importance to national defense: "As America’s only state with Arctic territory and with more coastline than the entire Lower 48 combined, Alaska is critical to the Coast Guard’s missions in defense of our nation. The Coast Guard serves an indispensable role in our state, defending our waters and ensuring the safety of Alaskans, a fact we were all reminded of witnessing the numerous search-and-rescue missions conducted and lives saved in Western Alaska in the aftermath of Typhoon Halong."

Senator Sullivan also pointed out benefits for service members stationed in Alaska: "From expanded travel privileges for our Alaska-based Coast Guardsmen to visit home, to additional funds for local infrastructure projects, this Coast Guard authorization builds upon the strong relationship between Alaska’s communities and our Alaska-based Coast Guard and will help our service members support their families and fulfill their many critical missions in the Last Frontier."

The authorization supports various areas including Coast Guard missions and infrastructure, personnel stationed in Alaska, maritime safety efforts, tribal interests, and natural resources.