The ocean can be a lawless place. Far from shore, the vast seas have become plagued with everything from piracy, rampant illegal fishing and environmental crime, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and even spying and espionage.

And in that mix, the U.S. and China have been competing for power and influence while frequently accusing each other of misconduct on the sea.

Under both the first presidency of Donald Trump and that of Joe Biden, the U.S. Coast Guard began playing an increasingly central role in America’s Pacific strategy. Now, as tensions with China continue to simmer and drug war operations ramp up in the Americas, the Coast Guard’s duties continue to expand — with largely bipartisan support.

This year’s iteration of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act authorizes $66.5 billion

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