Dan Webster: “I urge funding levels in line with H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024.”

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.

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.

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

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.