Duncan Hunter: “I first want to thank Chairman Shuster for giving me the opportunity to serve for nearly 6 years as the chairman of the…”

“I first want to thank Chairman Shuster for giving me the opportunity to serve for nearly 6 years as the chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, and I would like to thank him for yielding me time. {time} 1830 Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 140, the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018. Congressman LoBiondo is and has been a tireless advocate for the men and women of the Coast Guard, and there is no other name more fitting for this bill. Let me run through a few of the things that I find extremely great about this bill. Title 9 contains the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, legislation that I have introduced for three consecutive Congresses. It was compromised a little bit in the Senate but is still getting done. Mr. Garamendi and I held many, many subcommittee hearings together. He has been known to ask at the appropriate hearings about the backup to GPS. This question is always met with blank stares. This bill makes important progress on a backup GPS system. Finally, specifically section 514 establishes this backup timing component of the GPS system. That is no doubt thanks to Mr. Garamendi's tireless work. I am also pleased that the legislation establishes a land-based unmanned aircraft system program for the Coast Guard. They have never had their unmanned aerial vehicle program until now. They have had to rely on other services or agencies for this important capability.…”