In a Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing held in Washington, D.C., Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed strong support for Admiral Kevin Lunday to become the next Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Admiral Lunday has served in the Coast Guard for nearly forty years, holding leadership positions from commanding officer roles to leading operations in both the Oceania District and across the Atlantic Area. He is currently serving as Acting Commandant.
Chairman Cruz highlighted recent legislative efforts that have resulted in significant funding for the Coast Guard. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocated $24.6 billion to modernize and restore the USCG fleet, marking it as the largest recapitalization effort in its history. The bill includes resources for acquiring at least five new polar icebreakers, 40 helicopters, nine patrol cutters, and $4 billion aimed at improving shore facilities such as boot camp barracks and training centers.
“Semper Paratus. Always Prepared. That is the motto and sworn mission of the United States Coast Guard. Unfortunately, insufficient financial support over the years has left the Coast Guard without all of the equipment needed to stay prepared. Facilities are moldy and decrepit. Technology to thwart drug cartels and human traffickers is outdated. The United States has only three aging polar icebreakers, whereas China has four and Russia more than forty,” said Sen. Cruz.
He continued: “Earlier this year, however, our Committee and the Trump administration took a momentous step towards changing that. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made a historic $24.6 billion investment in the Coast Guard. It was the single largest appropriation in Coast Guard history. It includes funds to acquire at least five polar icebreakers, 40 helicopters, and nine patrol cutters. It unleashes $4 billion for improving shore facilities like the boot camp barracks, multi-use training centers, and the Coast Guard Yard. Put simply, it funds the Coast Guard of the future.”
Cruz emphasized that effective leadership would be necessary to oversee these investments: “The Coast Guard needs leadership to implement this investment. It needs a Commandant who will reinvigorate efforts to protect and patrol America’s waters. That’s precisely why I’m so glad President Trump has nominated Admiral Kevin Lunday.”
Admiral Lunday's tenure as Acting Commandant since January included directing increased resources toward interdiction efforts on both coasts targeting drug smuggling operations while managing other directives within service responsibilities.
“In fiscal year 2025 alone, the Coast Guard seized nearly 510,000 pounds of cocaine—by far the largest haul in its history and three times its annual average. That’s the equivalent of 193 million lethal doses, more than enough to poison half the U.S. population. Just since August, the Coast Guard’s newly launched Pacific Viper has netted 100,000 pounds,” Cruz stated during his remarks.
He also pointed out collaborative security initiatives: “Along with partner agencies, the service is better securing our border. It recently launched Operation River Wall along the Rio Grande, deploying watercraft and tactical teams to help deter and defeat illegal immigration, smuggling, and other national security threats.”
Concluding his statement about Admiral Lunday's qualifications: “I have every confidence that this good work will continue under Admiral Lunday... Now I look forward to his leadership of the Coast Guard as Commandant.”
