Dan Webster: “And has the Coast Guard considered contracting out Antarctica icebreaking to free up the Polar Star to patrol the…”

To the Coasties who joined us here today and across the world, thank you all for your unconditional service to our nation.

However, this committee is well aware also of the aging infrastructure and workforce shortages and insufficient budget that has operationally constrained the Coast Guard for--more than just this year--many years.

It is not enough to build airplanes in the U.S.--U.S. aviation must build safe airplanes in the U.S.

Today, our subcommittee meets to highlight the extraordinary successes of the men and women of the Coast Guard.