Mary Landrieu

We are laying the groundwork, which is good.

$500 million, a half a billion dollars, is real money for the Coast Guard.

$1 billion Capital Investment Plan is, in my view, wholly inadequate to replace the old and unreliable assets of the Coast Guard.

What is not clear is how many assaults in the Coast Guard go unreported, which unfortunately may happen due to the fears and consequences of coming forward.

I believe the topline given to the Coast Guard in the President's budget request is wholly inadequate.

Thank you, Madam Secretary, for your leadership.

We potentially could lose the $30 million in savings, which is very troubling.

I appreciate your frankness and opening your statement with your commitment to address what is a very serious and troubling situation.

I am very disappointed in the President's 2014 budget request for the Coast Guard.

Meeting is recessed.

$2.5 billion to maintain the fleet, to accomplish or at least try to meet the targets in the mission, is far different than $950 million.

I'm just wondering--and this is also going to come up for the icebreaker, when we have to pay for $1 billion for it--is whether we can continue to cut this budget and still find $800 million or $1 billion for this asset when this budget is…

We have to have the people, the cyber warriors, and that there is a real skills gap in America.

But for these small or large plants, when they report, to have that information shared appropriately at State and Federal levels...

I want to note for the record that there were five such attempts recently that were blocked.

People have to recognize the reality that cross-border trade is increasing.

While this integration has not always gone smoothly, there has been notable success.

I think this has been a very good hearing, and I think we have touched on most of the main points that are reflected in this budget.

Our hearts go out to this community as well that suffered what looks like a man-made tragedy.

Just last week, the Senate unveiled the bipartisan compromise immigration reform package, something that is urgently needed for the economic strength and security of our country.

I am pleased to see that your request includes appropriations to hire 1,600 new CBP officers.

This could help get a fuller picture of what's happening within the Coast Guard.

But how much does an icebreaker cost, approximately?

I took part in dedicating the FRC fleet last year with the commandant and, since that time, five boats have been delivered and are contributing to drug interdiction and other Coast Guard missions off the coast of Miami.

If enacted, the plan would delay offshore patrol cutter, decrease the number of fast response cutters to a level that, in my view, jeopardizes the program.