Mary Landrieu

We have already made it clear that the need is there. The budget, as we have been budgeting, is not going to meet that need.

I think the American people will continue to be surprised that the United States of America does not have a capital budget.

I have gone on record saying that I think the Coast Guard needs closer to $2 billion per year to recapitalize, do proper recapitalization.

I was there in April with others to commission the first fast response cutter, the Bernard C. Webber.

This misguided 'cut at any cost' approach has forced this year's reduction in the budget request for the Coast Guard.

We need some more funding in our society, in our budget, and that is where the problem is.

It's like deja vu, all over again.

I believe the top line given to the Coast Guard in the President's budget is just not adequate.

Every year, Presidents submit budgets that are inadequate for the Coast Guard, and every year, Congress steps in to fortify them.

The Coast Guard, as you know, I have said to you many times, both in private and public, will forever be in my heart and the hearts of the constituents that I represent in Louisiana and that I try to represent along the gulf coast.

It has been a very good hearing, and I thank the members for coming and paying such close attention to this important budget.

If Congress approves the President's request, the DHS budget will fall for the third straight year.

Please look at those U.S. vessels first, and only if you have to, please, use those foreign vessels.

The bill you refer to as statutory is the National Flood Insurance Program, which has not been authorized for quite a while over this issue and other issues.

But the equipment side of the Coast Guard is a serious issue.

I think we are going to have to find a way forward.

What I want to make sure is that whatever we do, we are really recognizing the importance of local government in charge of disasters.

It is going to be hard for us to hire people at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Clearly, major refineries, major pipelines, utilities.

We need that bill, and we need an approach that requires the core critical infrastructure of this country to unanimously reach at least a base level of security.

Thank you very much, Madam Secretary.

Secretary Napolitano, you lead a Department of 230,000 men and women who are on the front lines every day protecting our citizens.

Congress has a responsibility to make sure the next generation of Coast Guard and Customs men and women serving on the front lines have the equipment they need.

However, for the fiscal year 2013 budget year, the President proposes a $48 million decrease.

I want to stress to you how important it is to me, and to the people of Louisiana, that we have a strong exchange in our State.