Arlen Specter: “by way of brief reply to the comments of the Senator from Missouri, the Corps of Engineers has put a $20 million figure…”

“by way of brief reply to the comments of the Senator from Missouri, the Corps of Engineers has put a $20 million figure for putting the McFarland into Ready Reserve. But that doesn't deal with having the McFarland operational. That estimate was disputed by the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and others presenting factual information. I have just checked to find out if there was any hearing held on this matter. But I am advised that there was not. The rest of the Corps of Engineers report did not provide assurances that private industry would be able to fill the void created by decommissioning the McFarland. When you come to the issue as to whether it is capable of proceeding operationally, no one has disputed the facts that the McFarland is capable of functioning for 10 to 12 years without undergoing any major rehabilitation work being fully certified by the Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping as of March 23 of this year, an undisputed fact. How much time remains on my side, Mr. President? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 19 minutes remaining.”