Dan Webster: “For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern)…”

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.

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.

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

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.