S. 5069

119 S5069 IS: Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-07-22
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 5069  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   July 22, 2026   Mr. Scott of Florida  (for himself,  Mr. Sullivan , and  Mr. Tuberville ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation    A BILL
To establish a Secretary of the Coast Guard.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act  .
2.
Establishment of Secretary of the Coast Guard
(a)
Amendments to the Homeland Security Act of 2002
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 101 et seq. ) is amended—
(1)
in section 103 ( 6 U.S.C. 113 )—
(A)
by redesignating subsections (c) through (g) as subsections (d) through (h), respectively;
(B)
by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
(c)
Secretary of the Coast Guard
(1)
Appointment
There is a Secretary of the Coast Guard, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary of the Coast Guard shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be appointed from among individuals most highly qualified for the position by reason of background and experience, including individuals with appropriate management and leadership experience.
(2)
Limitations on appointment
(A)
In general
An individual may not be appointed as Secretary of the Coast Guard within 7 years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of an armed force.
(B)
Current service in certain roles
No officer serving in an appointment under subsection (a) may be appointed to carry out the duties of the Secretary of the Coast Guard.
(3)
Powers and duties
Subject to  chapter 6  of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the Coast Guard shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary may prescribe.
(4)
Direct reporting to Secretary
The Secretary of the Coast Guard shall report directly to the Secretary without intervening authority.
(5)
Under Secretary of the Coast Guard
(A)
In general
There is an Under Secretary of the Coast Guard, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(B)
Duties and powers
The Under Secretary of the Coast Guard shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary of the Coast Guard may prescribe.
 ; and
(C)
by amending subsection (d), as redesignated, to read as follows:
(d)
Commandant of the Coast Guard
(1)
In general
To assist the Secretary of the Coast Guard in the performance of the functions of the Secretary of the Coast Guard, there is a Commandant of the Coast Guard, who shall be appointed as provided in section 302 of title 14, United States Code, and who shall report directly to the Secretary of the Coast Guard.
(2)
Other duties
The Commandant shall perform such military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned by the Secretary of the Coast Guard.
(3)
Military advice and opinions of the Commandant
After first informing the Secretary of the Coast Guard, the Commandant may provide advice to the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Homeland Security on a particular matter on the judgment of the Commandant.
 ; and
(2)
in section 888(f) ( 6 U.S.C. 468(f) )—
(A)
by striking  Upon the transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department, the  and inserting  The ; and
(B)
by striking  Secretary  and inserting  Secretary of the Coast Guard .
(b)
Amendments to title 10, United States Code
Title 10 of the United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 101(a)(9)(D), by striking  the Secretary of Homeland Security  and inserting  the Secretary of the Coast Guard ;
(2)
in section 822(a)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) as paragraphs (4) through (10), respectively; and
(B)
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3):
(3)
the Secretary of Homeland Security;
 ; and
(3)
in section 8013a—
(A)
by striking  section 3 of title 14  and inserting  section 103 of title 14 ; and
(B)
by striking  the Secretary of Homeland Security  and inserting  the Secretary of the Coast Guard .
(c)
Amendments to title 14, United States Code
Title 14 of the United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 502(a), by striking  the Commandant  and inserting  the Secretary of the Coast Guard or the Commandant ;
(2)
in section 505, in the first sentence, by striking  general supervision of the Secretary  and inserting  general supervision of the Secretary of the Coast Guard ; and
(3)
in section 507, by striking  Secretary  and inserting  Secretary of the Coast Guard .