Dan Webster

Members of the DOGE team are being vetted to ensure qualifications are met and then monitored by Treasury officials throughout their work.

eliminate the unjust double-tax on Social Security benefits

Given these immense resources, it should come as no surprise that adversaries, including Russia and China, are working to assert themselves in the region.

To date, we have yet to see such a plan, let alone a cost estimate or a timeline of the first vessel in the fleet.

We absolutely have to do better on this.

At the same time, our nation has two operational icebreakers, one of which is dedicated to the Service's Antarctic mission in support of the National Science Foundation and is operating well past its intended service life.

I expect you and Admiral Allan to clearly articulate how you will acquire these vessels and what resources are required to carry out the Coast Guard's polar mission.

We just want to get ships built. That is all we want to do. Tell us how to do it. We will get the money for you.

Today, the subcommittee will receive testimony from the Coast Guard's icebreaking recapitalization efforts and the ability of the Service to meet its icebreaking and polar region responsibilities.

If Congress does not double the Coast Guard's budget in 2026, the Service will either have to abandon the program.

Thank you for your answer. I am hoping that there is also coming with that nine necessary vessels some sort of timeline.

The House passed an authorization bill earlier this year that begins to appropriately resource the Coast Guard.

The United States has relied on the Coast Guard's persistent presence to demonstrate American sovereignty in the Arctic since the United States acquired Alaska in 1867.

the resources required to build, homeport, and maintain Polar Security Cutters are substantial.

However, this committee is well aware also of the aging infrastructure and workforce shortages and insufficient budget that has operationally constrained the Coast Guard for--more than just this year--many years.

August 4th marked the 234th birthday of the Coast Guard, and the Service is celebrating that birthday tonight here at the Capitol.

At the same time, we are here to examine what investments must be made into the Coast Guard's most valuable resource: its people.

How are these programs working? And are recruiting and retention numbers coming up?

I have major concerns about the funding needed to keep up with the backlog in infrastructure, the investments in new assets such as cutters and helicopters and everyday support services to the fleet.

Today, our subcommittee meets to highlight the extraordinary successes of the men and women of the Coast Guard.

Providing the right assets and safe assets to our personnel is the Coast Guard's number one priority.

To the Coasties who joined us here today and across the world, thank you all for your unconditional service to our nation.

We need to be a $20 billion Coast Guard. We need to have $3 billion, at least, in our capital acquisition.

This is my warning to the Coast Guard: Please start saving yourselves from your own sinking ship.