Cybersecurity Policy Report, Bill to Study Coast Guard’s Cyber Defense Capabilities Clears House Committee, (Sep 16, 2026)
Organizations Mentioned:U.S. Coast Guard
The Government Accountability Office would have to assess the ability of the U.S. Coast Guard to protect the maritime sector from cyber threats under legislation that cleared the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee yesterday by voice vote.
The committee approved an amended version of the Marine Transportation System Cybersecurity Budget and Evaluation Report (MTS CYBER) Act (H.R. 7625, 119th Cong. (2026)), which is sponsored by Rep. Addison McDowell (R., N.C.).
The Coast Guard is the sector risk management agency for the maritime sector, and Coast Guard officials have asked for additional resources for their cybersecurity mission, Rep. McDowell said at yesterday’s markup.
“The Coast Guard is the designated agency responsible for protecting our ports, terminals, and maritime vessels from cyber threats. This isn’t a sideshow. It is actually critical work,” he said.
“Consider the possibility that a foreign adversary could hack into and shut down our port infrastructure in a time of international crisis, obstructing our country’s ability to respond to any event overseas,” he said.
“This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of the budget, resources, and capabilities of the Coast Guard to fulfill its cyber mission,” he added. “This bill will be critical in detailing where we have gaps in our port cybersecurity and allowing us to address the problem now before it becomes a catastrophe later.”
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