Cord Byrd: “the amendment I have offered on behalf of Senator Dodd does two things: One, it ensures that funding to operate and…”

“the amendment I have offered on behalf of Senator Dodd does two things: One, it ensures that funding to operate and maintain the Coast Guard's research and development, R&D, center in Connecticut is funded at levels provided in fiscal year 2003, which was $9 million supporting a staffing level of 107 employees. The Senate bill, as reported by the committee, denied the President's request for Coast Guard R&D and instead added $15 million to the Department's science and technology account to carry out the Coast Guard's R&D priorities. However, the committee intended for the operational costs of the Coast Guard's R&D center in fiscal year 2004 to be funded from the Coast Guard's operations and expenses budget. Two, the amendment directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to conduct a study on the R&D priorities for the Coast Guard and to examine the existing R&D organizational structure of the Coast Guard. The amendment allows up to $350,000 to be spent on such a study.”