Political Quotes

“My amendment would strike section 303 of the bill, which places harmful restrictions on the future contracting and construction of the United States Coast Guard national security cutter. The national security cutter is a much needed and extremely cost- effective ship for the Coast Guard, and it has actively proven its value through highly successful counterdrug and other missions while replacing an aging Coast Guard fleet. This is a ship the Coast Guard desperately needs and replaces the 378-foot endurance cutters, most of which are 40 to 50 years old. Just recently, the commandant of the Coast Guard told the press, we can't the get rest of those out soon enough. On average, the Coast Guard's legacy high-endurance cutters are able to achieve approximately 140 of their programmed 185 days under way a year. Maintenance costs continue to escalate, and further delay of the transition to national security cutters will only exacerbate challenges we are already facing meeting fleet readiness and mission requirements. This ship represents the centerpiece of the Coast Guard fleet. The first two national security cutters are enabling the Coast Guard to meet a wide range of missions now. During initial deployment, the national security cutters have netted hundreds of millions of dollars in drug busts.…”