Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act. As explained by previous speakers, this bill is bipartisan, bicameral, and is noncontroversial. It reauthorizes the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve and the Federal Maritime Commission. The legislation includes many important provisions that were contained in H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard authorization legislation that was passed and reported by voice vote from the committee, as well as overwhelming support here on the floor on April 1 of this year. Maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient maritime commerce that enables our foreign and domestic trade to fuel the U.S. economy remains as important today as it was in 1790, when former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton established the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, the predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard. This new legislation will provide our Coast Guard with the resources and policy tools they need to meet the challenges presented by an ever- evolving economy and security demands of our Nation. First, let me explain. A sincere gratitude to my colleague, Duncan Hunter, the chair of the subcommittee, for the work that he and his extraordinary staff have done in putting together this bill. Working together, I think we have accomplished something useful. Mr. Rahall's leadership on our side was exemplary.…”