Major Courtney Priorities for the Coast Guard Included in Final FY2026 NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, voted to pass the final FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

Along with shipbuilding, national security priorities, and oversight priorities, the FY26 NDAA, which passed the House by a vote of 312-112, includes the Courtney-led Safe-to-Report policy to protect Coast Guard servicemembers from sexual assault. The bill also authorizes the Coast Guard to use existing funds for final completion of the National Coast Guard Museum.

On Safe-to-Report:

"The serious issue of sexual assault in the Coast Guard was brought to light because of the brave servicemembers and cadets who came forward to describe their degrading experiences. As they recounted, the threat of possible disciplinary reprisals against victims, inhibited prosecution of real perpetrators," said Courtney. "Codifying Safe-to-Report protections into law will be a game changer to ensure that talented Guard members will be able to contribute to the Coast Guard mission in a safe workplace. All Americans will truly benefit from its enactment."

On the National Coast Guard Museum:

"The authority provided in the FY2026 NDAA for the Coast Guard to use existing funds to support final construction of the National Coast Guard Museum is another major step toward completion of this project," Courtney said. "Thanks to the hard work of the A/Z Corporation, Berlin Steel, and the Connecticut Building Trades, the museum's construction is making rapid, tangible progress - marked by last month's 'topping off' ceremony. The New London community eagerly awaits the museum's completion and looks forward to welcoming travelers looking for another great reason to visit eastern Connecticut."

More Background on Courtney's Multi-Year Effort to Make the Safe-to-Report Policy Law at the Coast Guard

In 2018, Rep. Courtney and his office began official casework with the cadets and faculty who experienced sexual assault and harassment at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

In 2019, Rep. Courtney hosted Commander Kimberly Young-McLear, Ph.D. of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as his guest for the State of the Union Address. In 2018, Commander Young-McLear suffered retaliation after she made complains about being the target of workplace bullying for years while teaching at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act required the Department of Defense to implement Safe-to-Report policy for collateral misconduct across the entire Armed Forces, which does not include the Coast Guard.

In August of 2023, Rep. Courtney introduced legislation to ensure that the Coast Guard Academy implements identical policy to prevent cadets from punishment for minor offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice when reporting an incident of sexual assault. Individuals could be fearful to report sexual assault because of concern they could be in violation of minor misconduct rules around the time of the assault. Safe-to-report policies ensure reporting individuals are not punished for minor offenses when reporting these incidents. Minor offenses include underage drinking and violating curfew, for example.

In February of 2024, Rep. Courtney and leaders on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure introduced the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act, which included the Safe-to-Report policy.

In March of 2024, the Committee passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, which included the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act.

In May of 2024, the House passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, but the bill was not signed into law before the end of the 118th Congress.

On July 15th, 2025, the Committee approved the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 for the 119th Congress, including the Safe-to-Report policy in the bill.

On July 23rd, 2025, the House passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, which included the Safe-to-Report policy.

On December 10th, 2025, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which also includes the Safe-to-Report policy in the bill.

While the Coast Guard independently adopted a safe-to-report policy in 2024 under then-Commandant Linda Fagan, Congressional passage will ensure safeguards are codified into law.