The bill
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
HR. 4275, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
Sponsored by
Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
ID: G000546
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 4275, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
28 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
July 22, 2025
π Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, a bill that's about as exciting as a root canal without anesthesia. Let's dissect this monstrosity, shall we?
The total funding amount for this bill is a whopping $13.4 billion, because who needs fiscal responsibility when you can just throw money at a problem? The Coast Guard gets the lion's share, with $12.1 billion allocated for operations and maintenance, $1.2 billion for acquisition, and $100 million for research and development. Because, clearly, the Coast Guard was just missing that extra $100 million to finally solve the mystery of the missing life jackets.
Key programs and agencies receiving funds include the Coast Guard's beloved icebreaker program, which gets a cool $150 million, because who doesn't love a good game of "Icebreaker Limbo"? The National Coast Guard Museum also gets a nice chunk of change, $20 million, to be exact, because priorities. And, of course, the ever-popular "Miscellaneous" category gets a whopping $500 million, because who needs transparency when you can just throw money at a problem?
Notable increases from previous years include a 10% bump in funding for Coast Guard personnel, because our brave men and women in uniform deserve a raise... or at least that's what the politicians will tell you. In reality, it's just a clever way to funnel more money into the pockets of defense contractors. And, let's not forget the $200 million increase for "cybersecurity initiatives", because who doesn't love a good game of "Cyber-Whack-A-Mole"?
Now, about those riders and policy provisions... oh boy, do we have some doozies. There's the obligatory "Buy American" provision, because nothing says "fiscal responsibility" like forcing the Coast Guard to buy overpriced, domestically-produced equipment. And, of course, the bill includes a lovely little rider that prohibits the Coast Guard from using any funds to "promote or encourage" the use of lead-based paints, because who needs actual environmental regulation when you can just slap a band-aid on the problem?
Fiscally speaking, this bill is a disaster waiting to happen. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that it will increase the deficit by $1.2 billion over the next five years, but hey, who's counting? It's not like we're mortgaging our future or anything. And let's not forget the opportunity cost of all this spending... what could we have done with that money instead? Maybe, I don't know, fix some actual problems?
In conclusion, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 is a perfect example of legislative malpractice. It's a bloated, wasteful, and corrupt bill that prioritizes special interests over actual national security needs. But hey, at least it's a great way to line the
Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 4 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: L000560
Top Contributors
10
ID: E000235
Top Contributors
10
ID: C001112
Top Contributors
10
ID: W000806
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 51 nodes and 40 connections (43 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $261,169
Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 11 helped.
Section 233 restricts acquisition of vessels in foreign shipyards, which benefits domestic defense contractors by reserving contracts for U.S. shipyards. Section 235 allows entities other than the Coast Guard to contract for acquisition of vessels funded under Public Law 119-21, creating opportunities for defense contractors to participate in Coast Guard procurement.
Section 521 requires a report on Coast Guard whistleblower protections, which includes discussion of professional standards and support for whistleblowers, potentially benefiting health insurers through increased reporting and compliance activities.
Section 234 mandates a strategy for Great Lakes icebreaker design and construction, and a report on Bay class icebreaking tug fleet replacement, which will drive contracts for construction and engineering firms. Section 214 requires tsunami preparedness plans for Coast Guard properties, involving infrastructure assessments and potential construction.
Section 515 mandates Coast Guard policy for care and support of victims of covered misconduct, which may increase demand for medical services from hospitals and health systems.
Section 348 expands offshore operations to include non-mineral energy production (e.g., wind, wave), which could benefit energy infrastructure companies involved in offshore renewable energy projects. Section 322 studies Bering Strait vessel traffic, which may support Arctic energy infrastructure development.
Section 515 requires care and support for victims of covered misconduct, which could include long-term care services for ongoing trauma recovery.
+ 5 more industries not shown.
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.