Dan Webster: “This reminds of us the vital importance of the Coast Guard in protecting our nation's waterways.”

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

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.

Thank you. And I would like to work with you as more decisions are issued this year.

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.