Members of Congress introduced a bill for debate today that increases funding, security authorities, and responsibilities of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The Coast Guard Authorization bill would increase funding for the Coast Guard to $8.4 billion - $200 million above the President's budget - and increase the size of the its staff by 1,500 members to 47,000.

Other key provisions of the bill include:

• Authorizing additional maritime security response teams, giving the Coast Guard a rapid force capability; and additional canine detection teams to help it interdict illicit drugs and humans seeking to unlawfully enter the United States.
• Establishing an Assistant Commandant for Port and Waterways Security.
• A requirement for the Department of Homeland Security to analyze the threat, vulnerability and consequences of a terrorist attack on gasoline and chemical cargo shipments and report the findings to Congress.
• Requires the Coast Guard to certify they have the resources needed to protect every new Liquefied Natural Gas facility.
• Creating an Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and establishing qualifications for training and experience for all marine safety personnel.
• An amendment Act that calls for a prison sentence of up to 10 years or a fine of up to $100,000, or both, for anyone convicted of trying to smuggle an immigrant illegally into the United States.