Political Quotes

“today I rise to support an amendment to increase the Coast Guard's funding by $46.1 million. Unfortunately, under the funding levels in the pending bill, the Coast Guard would be forced to reduce routine operations by 20 percent. The increase provided by our amendment will address the Coast Guard's current readiness needs and raise the Coast Guard's law enforcement capabilities to the levels enacted in the budget resolution. The past two national defense authorization bills mandated pay raises, new medical benefits, recruiting and retention incentives, and other entitlements that exceeded the funds appropriated during the consideration of the regular Transportation appropriations bills. Compounding this, the Coast Guard has had to face rising energy costs, aging assets, and missions that grow increasingly complex. To pay for these increases the Coast Guard has had to dip into its operational accounts resulting in reduced law enforcement patrols. Without the funding authorized in this amendment, the Coast Guard will again be forced to reduce its level of operations. These routine operations are extremely important. As you know, the Coast Guard is a branch of the Armed Forces, but on a day-to-day basis, they are a multi-mission agency. Last year alone, the Coast Guard responded to over 40,000 calls for assistance, assisted $1.4 billion in property, and saved 3,355 lives.”