A two year authorization is now on the way to the President’s desk, and there is little reason to expect he will not sign it. You can find the bill here.
It looks, good, but it is not a budget. We will have to wait and see.
It does include provision to begin planning for new polar and Great Lakes icebreakers.
Perhaps most notably it includes a near $2B AC&I budget for 2017 as well as 2016. Hopefully that will hold up.
“For the acquisition, construction, renovation, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment related thereto, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities and equipment—
(A) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
(B) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.”
Included in the authorization is new provision allowing the CG to provide some support for the planned CG museum in New London. http://www.theday.com/military/20160202/connecticuts-federal-lawmakers-applaud-final-passage-of-cg-authorization-act
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting (http://brymar-consulting.com/?page_id=6) reports the Coast Guard Authorization Act has been signed by the President. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr4188enr/pdf/BILLS-114hr4188enr.pdf