Dan Sullivan

I think we all struggle in many ways with the issue of certainly mitigating risk to human live, as we saw in the Gulf.

Do you agree that we should be looking at these issues not as one size fits all but very, very particular given the different basins?

We are very proud of our record in Alaska, some of the highest standards on the environment and protection literally in the world.

I think it is important.

It is not a good list to be on.

I think that stems from the leadership on both sides of the aisle, certainly, but also stems from the mission that we all recognize is so important, to take care of our veterans.

The United States alone will not be able to address all of the emerging contingencies that I foresee in the Arctic.

This could be a very, very critically important waterway for the nation, for the world, you know, in the decades to come

I think a lot of people have equities.

I wanted to follow up on Senator Cantwell's comments about the need for additional icebreaking capabilities.

It is estimated that 30 percent of the undiscovered oil and gas resources in the world are in the Arctic.

The Coast Guard's mission is to ensure the safety, security, and stewardship of our Nation's waters.

It is also very important to recognize that our fishing fleet, whether they are in Alaska or in the Gulf of Mexico, they are the epitome of the small American businessman or businesswoman.

They are being crushed in many ways by Federal regulations.

If this was an enactment of Congress in conjunction with the Coast Guard bill 6 years ago that we now think is undermining safety and increasing costs, is that something that we need to be taking another look at?

Are there things that we are not thinking about, from the congressional perspective, of how to make this happen?

This is not just an Alaska issue; this is an American issue.

There is a lot of disappointment and concern in Alaska that that number has now dropped from seven to six.

Your heroic efforts continue. Please, I think one thing we want to get out of this committee is to make sure you thank all your members for their fantastic service.

The regulatory burden can be so significant, all well-intended, but it can be so significant that it can really undermine the operational ability for a family business.

We want to make sure the fleet is viable.

If I didn't have Russia at the table, it would be the United States and Canada alone.

I actually think that it is not 'if.' It is not even 'when.' It is happening, right?

The Secretary of the Interior could fix this issue with the stroke of a pen.

Thank you, Admiral. And, again, I would, please, from this committee, pass on our compliments to all the members of the Coast Guard, who are doing such great work for our country.