Coast Guard reauthorization advances in House

The House on Friday morning approved the rule for H.R. 2838, a bill that would reauthorize the Coast Guard through 2014. Members approved the rule in a 245-166 vote.

In earlier debate, Democrats objected to language in the bill that would set a single, nationwide standard for ballast water discharge for commercial oceangoing vessels.

And on Thursday, the Obama administration said it opposes the bill because it would decommission the icebreaker USCGC Polar Star. The administration says Congress already approved funds to reactivate this ship by next year and extend the life of that vessel for up to 10 years.

"By directing the Commandant to decommission the USCGC POLAR STAR within three years, the bill would effectively reduce the vessel's service life to two years and create a significant gap in the Nation’s icebreaking capacity," the administration said in a Statement of Administration Policy. However, that statement did not specifically threaten a veto of the bill.

The House is expected to take up several amendments to the Coast Guard bill later Friday.