Dan Webster: “A new fleet of Polar Security Cutters is critical to advancing our Nation's sovereignty in the polar regions.”

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.

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.

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

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.