(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s (TX-07) bill, the Supporting Our Coast Guard Members Act, was included in the bipartisan H.R. 3409 Coast Guard Authorization Act and passed the House of Representatives today.

Congresswoman Fletcher introduced H.R. 3066, the Supporting Our Coast Guard Members Act on June 5, 2019 to address inequity of benefits between Coast Guard servicemembers and other members of the armed forces, including retirement benefits, promotion opportunities, and employment assistance. The Support Our Coast Guard Members Act ensures that Coast Guard servicemembers receive the same benefits and services offered to those in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act, introduced by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (OR-04), reauthorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission through Fiscal Year 2021, and incorporates the Support Our Coast Guard Members Act in its provisions.

“I am proud to see this important legislation passed with other critical updates to improve the resources available to our Coast Guard so they continue their hard work,” said Congresswoman Fletcher. “I’m glad to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognize the continued sacrifice and dedication of our Coast Guard servicemembers with this vote to provide them equal benefits.”

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Houston/Galveston sector encompasses 180 miles of the Gulf Coast, including parts of Texas and Louisiana. It is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s eighth district, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and includes 3,695 active duty military.