Dan Webster

A new fleet of Polar Security Cutters is critical to advancing our Nation's sovereignty in the polar regions.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023 authorizes $36.3 million to modernize the Coast Guard's IT systems.

I urge the Coast Guard to share important Service oversight actions with Congress as a routine matter of day-to-day operations.

Unfortunately, no administration of either party has requested anything even approaching the resources necessary to carry out this recapitalization in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

What would be the result or the impact of operations and costs if the acquisition were delayed?

The Coast Guard appears to have systemic issues in effectively executing major acquisitions.

Compared to other programs, the Waterways Commerce Cutter acquisition program has been on track, which is very encouraging.

What do you think that we as a Congress should do?

Thank you very much.

Funding levels from 2022 would mean fewer Coast Guard operations in the Pacific, where our adversaries continue to add capacity and our allies need Coast Guard support.

Funding levels from 2022 would mean significant delays in the construction of Polar Security Cutters, of which Russia has nearly 50 and the United States has 1.

Funding levels from 2022 would mean reduced search and rescue capacity, resulting in more deaths on the water.

It goes without saying that with growing manpower shortages, an increasing shoreside infrastructure backlog, and a completely defective procurement process, the Coast Guard has a lot of work to do.

Today, our Subcommittee will receive testimony on the National Academy of Sciences Report entitled 'The Coast Guard's Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs.'

Funding levels from 2022 for the Coast Guard would mean fewer maritime drug interdictions, which means more fentanyl in all of our districts.

I hope today we can have a productive, bipartisan discussion on how to better position our Coast Guard for the future.

Congress will need to continuously monitor the statutory authorities necessary for the Service to carry out its missions.

Our Coasties deserve better, and our country needs better.

So, yes, the money has definitely been helpful. And we have seen an increase in the numbers in terms of people getting to boot camp.

Today, we receive testimony regarding the shortage of United States mariners and recruitment and retention challenges in the United States Coast Guard.

I applaud Admiral Fagan for her refreshing approach exemplified by the slogan 'tomorrow will look different, and so will we.'

So, we are modernizing that system.

I do not believe that these windmills are going to be good.

Thank you all for your testimony.

Thank you very much.