House approves $8.7 billion Coast Guard reauthorization

House approves $8.7 billion Coast Guard reauthorization    The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Tuesday that authorizes $8.7 billion for various Coast Guard operations improvements.
   The 2006 Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act (H.R. 889) passed by a 413-to-0 vote.
   The largest portion of the funds, $1.6 billion, will go toward the Coast Guard’s vessel and aircraft modernization effort, known as the Integrated Deepwater Systems Program.
   “Funding at this level would result in the acceleration of the Deepwater program and would provide a new, more capable fleet to support the Coast Guard’s many traditional and homeland security missions,” said Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, in a statement.
   H.R. 889 also increases penalties for violations of the Maritime Transportation Security Act, promotes the construction of U.S.-flag liquified natural gas vessels, and establishes a long-range vessel tracking system pilot project.