House Homeland Security hearing spotlights maritime smuggling, Coast Guard readiness and calls for expanded authority

At a House Homeland Security Committee joint hearing, federal law enforcement and Government Accountability Office witnesses said transnational criminal organizations are exploiting maritime routes to move drugs, people and weapons and urged changes in authority, technology and resourcing to meet the threat.

The hearing opened with Representative Juan Jimenez (chairman) framing the session as an assessment of “the evolving tactics, geographic patterns, and operational strategies employed by transnational criminal organizations” and of Department of Homeland Security components’ maritime posture. Jonathan Miller, executive assistant commissioner for Air and Maritime Operations (AMO) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told the committee that “countless vessels enter or operate in U.S. territorial waters every day, making detection of illegal activity and apprehending associated smugglers challenging.”

Why it matters: witnesses said maritime smuggling remains a major national-security and public-safety risk even as land-border enforcement changes. Rear Admiral Adam Shamie, the Coast Guard assistant commandant for response policy, said the service “tripled our force lay down” after a national emergency declaration and described large recent seizures: the Coast Guard reported removing about 160 metric tons of cocaine and detaining more than 300 smugglers in the current fiscal year and said it surpassed fiscal year 2024 removals earlier in the year.

Federal players and capabilities: AMO, the Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) described complementary roles. Miller said AMO operates interceptors, fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems and is using artificial intelligence to filter maritime traffic. James C. Harris, assistant director for countering transnational organized crime at HSI, said HSI uses its investigative reach—roughly “8,800 personnel across 243 domestic locations and over 93 international sites”—to trace networks, follow proceeds and pursue prosecutions after interdictions.

Technology and authority gaps: witnesses described investments in surveillance and intercept platforms—AMO cited P-3 variants, MQ-9 UAS, Super King Air 350 aircraft, tethered aerostats and screening algorithms—and the Coast Guard described unmanned aircraft (ScanEagle) and a new vertical‑lift system (VBAT) for longer endurance. Miller and Rear Admiral Shamie urged Congress to give CBP expanded authority to operate farther offshore; Miller said CBP “continues to work with Congress on legislative changes to extend the customs waters from 12 to 24 nautical miles,” arguing that an extension would increase the area available for interdiction and life‑saving operations.

Resource and readiness concerns: Heather McLeod, director on the GAO’s Homeland Security and Justice team, told the committee that shifting priorities and surge responses can stretch assets and personnel: “Resources surged to respond to a crisis are not available for other missions and people and assets can become stretched.” GAO cited delayed acquisition programs, declining asset availability and persistent workforce shortfalls. Committee members highlighted GAO’s finding that some Coast Guard aircraft availability averaged about 66–68% and the service remained roughly 2,600 enlisted members short of stated targets.

Diverging committee concerns: members split sharply over how DHS components are being used. Republican members emphasized interdictions and the financial impact on cartels; Representative Michael Guest (chairman, Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement) and others cited recent multi‑million‑dollar offloads and said increased maritime enforcement denies cartels cash that funds other crimes. Democratic members pressed witnesses about the diversion of Coast Guard and other federal assets to domestic deportation operations and about reports of masked U.S. immigration enforcement actions at court hearings and public events. Representative Delia Ramirez said, “They are kidnapping people. They’re tearing families apart,” citing examples discussed during the hearing of wrongful or contested deportations.

Oversight and next steps: lawmakers asked for additional operational detail. Representative MacIver (ranking member) asked the Coast Guard to provide a full accounting of assets and personnel redirected since January 20, and Rear Admiral Shamie agreed to brief her. Miller said CBP is drafting legislation with the Coast Guard to modernize customs waters and noted the agencies continue to press for expanded offshore authorities. GAO reiterated outstanding recommendations related to task‑force assessment, asset management and acquisition oversight.

The hearing record will remain open for members’ additional questions, and witnesses were asked to provide follow‑up materials to the committee.