politics
Sen. Scott Ends Hold on Coast Guard Officer Promotions After Two-Month Blockade
Scott ended a hold placed in April over construction of four new ships by Eastern Shipbuilding Group. The ships were originally due in 2023.
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Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott lifted a hold on Coast Guard officer promotions on June 11, 2026. Scott placed the hold in April 2026 over questions about construction of four new ships by Eastern Shipbuilding Group.
The ships were expected to be completed in 2023. Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reduced the number of ships from four to two in 2025. Eastern Shipbuilding Group stopped work on the ships in November 2025 due to significant financial strain caused by the program’s structure and conditions.
Scott stated he cares deeply about the Coast Guard promotions. He said all parties have been working together in good faith toward an agreement that gets the ships built at an acceptable cost. "The process still needs to be better," Scott said.
He added that he will fight for more oversight and accountability of the Coast Guard and to fix the Coast Guard procurement process. Scott's hold meant the Senate could confirm promotions for Coast Guard officers but could not do blanket approvals and would be forced to do so individually instead.
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How sources framed this
LeftNeutralRightAbuse of Senate procedureOversight for cost controls
LeftNeutralRightAbuseOversight
CorroborationLimited · 2 sources
