Congress’s Bill Allocates $8.6 Billion for Coast Guard Icebreakers to Boost Arctic Presence

Congress’s sweeping tax and spending bill, the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allocates more than $8.6 billion for the deployment of the Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet in the Arctic, as the United States seeks to expand its presence in the region.

Of that funding, $4.3 billion is allocated for the procurement of heavy icebreakers—known as Polar Security Cutters—and related equipment, which will help ensure the Coast Guard’s defense readiness in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.