Dan Webster: “The United States has relied on the Coast Guard's persistent presence to demonstrate American sovereignty in the Arctic…”

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, 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.

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.

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.