Political Quotes

“In August of this year, we are going to hit the 234th birthday of the United States Coast Guard. We have seen profound changes in the Coast Guard's mission. They perform the jobs of probably a dozen Federal agencies over water. They do a remarkable job. From drug and alien interdiction to maritime security and maritime safety, they do absolutely everything. I will say it again: What a dozen agencies do on land, the Coast Guard is responsible for over water. It is absolutely remarkable. The brave men and women that we refer to as the coasties have served our country with incredible honor and distinction. Mr. Speaker, we refer to them as the Swiss Army knife of the Federal Government. They do so much. They conduct search and rescue missions, support safe navigation in our waterways, and help to defend our maritime border from nefarious actors. Now more than ever, the Coast Guard's missions don't go unnoticed, and it is important that we provide the Coast Guard with the resources that they need to conduct their operations. China is maneuvering to overtake the United States' maritime supremacy. Today, China has the capacity to manufacture 232 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United States. Let me say that again: Today, China has 232 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United States, and these ships aren't being used for honorable activities, Mr. Speaker.…”