On the recordNovember 14, 2018
Mr. President, I know the perception out there is often that bipartisanship is dead, but the bill we passed this afternoon, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, is a good reminder that we can still come together and get things done for the American people. The bill we just passed overwhelmingly, which is headed to the President's desk, has been negotiated for almost 2 years. Portions of this bill have been discussed for over a decade. It is good to see Senators and Representatives of both parties come together in compromise on such an important piece of legislation. We celebrated Veterans Day earlier this week. As always, it was a powerful reminder of everything we owe to the men and women who keep us safe, like the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard. This key branch of the military is responsible for defending our Nation's waters. The men and women of the Coast Guard stand on the frontlines preventing dangerous drugs, weapons, and individuals from entering our country by sea. When disaster strikes in the form of storms and hurricanes, the Coast Guard is on the scene conducting search and rescue and carrying people to safety. We owe the men and women of the Coast Guard a tremendous debt of gratitude. We owe it to the American people to ensure that our Nation's coastguardsmen have the tools and resources they need to carry out their mission. This bill will improve maritime safety, security, and stewardship.…
Source
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