Duncan Hunter: “I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2825 includes H.R. 2518, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2825 includes H.R. 2518, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017, in division E. The Coast Guard Authorization Act is a product of bipartisan efforts of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, specifically through Chairman Shuster's leadership and the efforts of Ranking Member DeFazio and Ranking Member Garamendi and our great staff, Dave Jansen and John Clark Rayfield. {time} 0945 The Coast Guard Authorization Act includes an authorization of funding for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to support the Coast Guard and its servicemembers. It is important to remember the Coast Guard is one of the five Armed Forces, and even though it is outside of the Department of Defense, the service plays a critical role in protecting our country. It is unique in being the only armed force with law enforcement authorities, and this combination allows the service to perform its multitude of missions. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has been overseeing the Coast Guard for more than two decades and moved legislation to support the service in each Congress since 1995. The text of the Coast Guard Authorization Act is a product of hearings, discussions with the Coast Guard, and regulated industries.…”