H.R.2546 - Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2546, the Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025, aims to establish the position of Secretary of the Coast Guard. This position would be appointed by the President with Senate approval. The Secretary of the Coast Guard would report directly to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, without intermediary officials.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to create a new, high-level position within the Coast Guard's chain of command. This could streamline decision-making and improve the Coast Guard's responsiveness. The Commandant would report directly to the new Secretary of the Coast Guard.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced oversight and accountability within the Coast Guard.
- Streamlined communication between the Coast Guard and the Secretary of the relevant department.
- Potentially improved efficiency in Coast Guard operations due to a dedicated Secretary.
- Clearer lines of authority and responsibility.
- Increased focus on Coast Guard-specific issues at the departmental level.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy with the creation of a new high-level position.
- Possible conflicts of authority between the existing Commandant and the new Secretary.
- Increased administrative costs associated with the new position.
- Risk of slowing down decision-making processes if the new layer of management becomes a bottleneck.
- Potential for political influence in Coast Guard operations through the presidential appointment.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the US Constitution, specifically Article II, Section 2, which grants the President the power to appoint officers of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. The creation of a new executive position within the existing governmental structure falls within the powers granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers vested by the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).