Dan Webster: “Thank you very much.”

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.

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

Congress must do better. The Commandant has said that the Coast Guard needs to be a $20 billion service by 2030, and I believe that should be the minimum.

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.