Dan Webster: “Congratulations on your new position. I know you do a fantastic job.”

We just want to get ships built. That is all we want to do. Tell us how to do it. We will get the money for you.

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.

How are these programs working? And are recruiting and retention numbers coming up?

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.