Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025 | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 4375Transportation and Public Works

Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025

INTRO JUL 14· LAST ACTION JUL 15

READING

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Passed Senate

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Reliable icebreaking on the Great Lakes is vital because these waterways are crucial arteries for moving raw materials and finished goods, particularly during the winter months. When ice conditions are severe and icebreakers are insufficient, shipping grinds to a halt, causing significant economic losses, impacting industries, jobs, and potentially raising the cost of goods.

This bill matters because it seeks to address concerns about the aging Great Lakes icebreaker fleet and ensure that critical shipping lanes remain open. By mandating a plan for a new, powerful icebreaker and a thorough evaluation of current capabilities, it aims to prevent future economic disruptions, support regional industries, and maintain efficient supply chains, directly impacting the economic health of the Great Lakes region.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Directs the Coast Guard to develop a strategy for the design and construction of a new Great Lakes icebreaker, at least as capable as the USCGC Mackinaw.

This lays the groundwork for acquiring a modern, powerful icebreaker to improve winter navigation on the Great Lakes, addressing concerns about aging equipment.

PROVISION 02

Establishes a five-year pilot program for the Coast Guard to determine if its current Great Lakes icebreaking fleet can maintain tier one and tier two waterways open 95% of the time during ice seasons.

This directly evaluates the current fleet's effectiveness and provides crucial data to identify any gaps in service or resource needs.

PROVISION 03

Requires the Coast Guard to submit reports to Congress after each of the five ice seasons detailing the results of the pilot program.

This ensures congressional oversight and provides transparency regarding the performance and challenges of Great Lakes icebreaking operations.

PROVISION 04

Modifies existing laws to require public reporting and congressional briefings on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting Great Lakes icebreaking standards.

This increases transparency and accountability regarding the financial aspects and operational efficiency of Coast Guard icebreaking activities.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 3

Kristen McDonald Rivet

D· Michigan

YRS IN OFFICE

BILLS LED

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 0 REP 3 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

JUL 15

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

COMMITTEE

JUL 14

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JUL 14

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 4375

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedJul 14, 2025

Last actionJul 15, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 14, 2025

House BillHR 4375Transportation and Public Works

Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025

INTRODUCED JUL 14, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 15, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

4 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Directs the Coast Guard to develop a strategy for the design and construction of a new Great Lakes icebreaker, at least as capable as the USCGC Mackinaw.

This lays the groundwork for acquiring a modern, powerful icebreaker to improve winter navigation on the Great Lakes, addressing concerns about aging equipment.

high

This directly evaluates the current fleet's effectiveness and provides crucial data to identify any gaps in service or resource needs.

med

Requires the Coast Guard to submit reports to Congress after each of the five ice seasons detailing the results of the pilot program.

This ensures congressional oversight and provides transparency regarding the performance and challenges of Great Lakes icebreaking operations.

med

Modifies existing laws to require public reporting and congressional briefings on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting Great Lakes icebreaking standards.

This increases transparency and accountability regarding the financial aspects and operational efficiency of Coast Guard icebreaking activities.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Coast Guard Commandant to submit strategy detailing design and construction of a Great Lakes icebreaker.

During the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of this Act

Coast Guard Commandant to conduct a Great Lakes icebreaker pilot program.

Not later than 180 days after the end of each of the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of this Act

Coast Guard Commandant to submit a report on the results of the pilot program for each ice season.

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

Commandant to brief congressional committees on the cost of meeting icebreaking requirements in fiscal year 2024.

Not later than November 2025

Commandant to brief congressional committees on the cost of meeting icebreaking requirements in fiscal year 2025.

Not later than November 1, 2026

Commandant to brief congressional committees on the cost of meeting icebreaking requirements in fiscal year 2026.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Icebreaker: A specialized ship designed with a reinforced hull and powerful engines to navigate through and break up ice, creating pathways for other vessels.
Commandant of the Coast Guard: The highest-ranking officer who leads the U.S. Coast Guard.
Strategy: A comprehensive plan detailing how a specific goal will be achieved, including steps, resources, and timelines.
Pilot Program: A small-scale test or experiment conducted to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and costs of a new program or approach before wider implementation.
Ice Season: The period of the year, usually during colder months, when ice forms on lakes, rivers, or oceans, making navigation difficult for ships.
Tier One and Tier Two Waterways: Classifications of navigable waterways based on their economic or strategic importance, with Tier One being the most critical for commercial traffic and national interests.
USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30): A heavy icebreaker operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, specifically built for and operating on the Great Lakes.

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

JUL 15, 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

COMMITTEE

JUL 14, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JUL 14, 25

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

INTROREFERRAL

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Transportation and Infrastructure CommitteeReferred

Jul 14, 2025

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Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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