S. 5069: Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act

This bill would create a new civilian Secretary of the Coast Guard position and make that person the top official overseeing the Coast Guard. Right now, the Coast Guard is led within the Department of Homeland Security; this bill would give it its own Cabinet-level style leader, though still within the existing homeland security structure.

What the new leadership structure would look like

• The Secretary of the Coast Guard would be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
• The person appointed would generally need to come from civilian life, and the bill says they should, as much as practical, be highly qualified through management and leadership experience.
• A former regular-duty military officer could not be appointed until 7 years after leaving active duty.
• Someone already serving in another presidential appointment covered by the bill could not be appointed to this new role.
• The Secretary of the Coast Guard would report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security, without an intermediate layer of authority.

What the Commandant would do under the bill

• The Commandant of the Coast Guard would remain in place as the top military leader of the service.
• The Commandant would report directly to the new Secretary of the Coast Guard.
• The Commandant would handle military duties assigned by the Secretary and could still give advice to the President, National Security Council, Homeland Security Council, Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of Homeland Security, after first informing the Secretary of the Coast Guard.

Additional leadership role

• The bill would also create an Under Secretary of the Coast Guard, also appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
• This person would serve in a role defined by duties assigned by the Secretary of the Coast Guard.

Other legal changes

• The bill makes several wording changes across federal law so references to Coast Guard leadership match the new structure.
• It updates parts of the Homeland Security Act, Title 10, and Title 14 of the U.S. Code to replace or add references to the new Secretary of the Coast Guard.
• It does not describe major changes to Coast Guard missions, funding levels, or personnel numbers; it mainly changes who sits at the top of the organization and how that office fits into existing law.

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