Last week, the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) approved FY2016 appropriations for the Coast Guard, which are included in the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.
This marks the 12th and final FY2016 appropriations bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee (HAC).
HAC chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) said, “all committee work on funding measures [for FY2016] –the first time this has happened since 2009.” The full House has passed six bills, (Commerce/Justice/State, DoD, Energy and Water, Legislative, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, and Transportation/HUD).
The HAC approved $8.5 billion in FY2016 discretionary appropriations (to be appropriated by Congress) for the Coast Guard, $361 million more than the budget request. The bill also identifies $1.6 billion in Coast Guard mandatory spending, including retired pay. The HAC bill does not include Coast Guard funding for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).
Operating expenses totaling $6.9 billion are funded in the bill, about $77 million higher than the request. The bill fully funds a military pay raise, but does not contain funding for a civilian pay raise. Funding would be increased by $14 million for critical enlistment and extension bonuses and $55 million for critical depot maintenance programs.
The bill would increase the request for acquisition, construction, and improvements by $284 million to $1.3 billion. The bill fully funds the request for six Fast Response Cutters (to replace the aging 110-foot patrol boat fleet) and adds $70.5 million for design and construction of the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OSP), a high acquisition priority. An Additional $95 million is included to buy the 13th HC-130J, $82.7 million for Shore Facilities construction (aviation facilities +$31 million, ship lift facility +$20 million, and training center +$31.7 million), and $21 million for Coast Guard housing.
The HAC also proposes $20 million in rescissions from prior-year programs.
The Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) approved its version of the FY2016 Homeland Security Appropriations bill last month. The SAC bill provides $8.7 billion for Coast Guard discretionary appropriations, $570 million above the request. The bill also includes OCO funding of $160 million for the Coast Guard.
