How are we coming with regard to training of personnel?

Admiral Cook, I had asked you about some type of timetable to deal with the backlog.

Tell me something, why is it that the time required by the Coast Guard to process an application appears to have lengthened?

I would suggest that you take a look at his testimony; it is very good.

I fully understand why we need to get to the bottom of any existing medical situation that could compromise safe transportation.

But don't make it so he has to stop working, he can no longer do his job just because of an administrative situation.

We have got to make it as easy as we possibly can. We have got to go by the rules, as far as mariners are concerned, to do the right things.

I just want you to let us know what is your number one thing that you want them to do?

This is not a bash the Coast Guard hearing. This is about how do we work with the Coast Guard so that they can accomplish their mission.

I just believe that we can do it.

I was looking at Ken Wells' testimony, the President of Offshore Marine Services Association, and he says inexperienced evaluators...

This is my frustration, you see? This is why I set deadlines, because over and over again--you go ahead.

I don't want one person losing one hour of work because of something that the Government failed to do.

I take it that you are trying to make sure that, in the process of doing that job--and this is to all of you--that they do their job, but that job does not interfere with commerce unreasonably and unnecessarily.

I want to thank you, Ranking Member, for your statement, and I certainly join you in your words...

I think we need to resolve it, because the one thing we don't want to do is we don't want it to get worse.

I want to hear you say we have resolved the backlog.

I would again like to thank the gentlelady from Wisconsin, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and the 100-plus cosponsors of H.R. 2517 for their work, their diligence, and their commitment to correcting a longstanding injustice which has…