Cord Byrd: “I commend Senator McCain, Senator Hollings, and the rest of the conference committee for their hard work on this…”

“I commend Senator McCain, Senator Hollings, and the rest of the conference committee for their hard work on this bipartisan authorization bill. This legislation provides an authorization of $8.168 billion for the Coast Guard's fiscal year 2005 budget, an increase of 19 percent over fiscal year 2004. This conference agreement also includes important new authority for the Coast Guard to better carry out its missions and meet the growing responsibilities of a post-September 11 environment. Sadly, when it comes to funding homeland security needs, I believe the congressional intent expressed in this bill will, yet again, be ignored at the White House. This conference report authorizes $5.4 billion for the Coast Guard's operating expenses account--an increase of 14 percent over fiscal year 2004 levels and over $231 million above the President's fiscal year 2005 request for the Coast Guard. Over 20 months ago, the President signed the Homeland Security Act creating the Department of Homeland Security. With respect to the Coast Guard, that act required that, ``. . .the authorities, functions, and capabilities of the Coast Guard to perform its missions shall be maintained intact and without significant reduction. . . .'' Unfortunately, the administration has not held up its end of the bargain. The administration has failed to provide the Coast Guard with sufficient budgets to maintain both traditional missions and new homeland security responsibilities.”