Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. This bipartisan measure authorizes funding for the Coast Guard, one of six armed services, for the next 2 fiscal years. The men and women of the Coast Guard deserve the support of this Congress in their efforts to meet the challenges of their ever-growing mission. Those missions are wide-ranging and include ensuring the safety of maritime trade, including our vital supply chain; enforcing United States laws at sea; protecting our Nation's borders; helping counter undue Chinese influence in the Pacific; helping to develop the United States' redefined role in the rapidly changing Arctic; and countering human trafficking and the influx of illicit drugs into this country. This bill provides the Coast Guard with the authorities and resources it needs to carry out its mission. Mr. Speaker, I commend Ranking Member Larsen and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Webster and Ranking Member Carbajal for working to reach a bipartisan agreement on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.”