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Hearing Highlights Need for Critical Investments in the Coast Guard and Importance of the One Big Beautiful Bill ActMembers of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, at a hearing today with President Trump’s nominee for Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, highlighted the importance of the historic $21.2 billion investment in the Coast Guard included in the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). These investments will support the Coast Guard’s missions to protect our national security and stop illegal drugs and migrants from crossing our maritime borders. H.R. 1 invests in Coast Guard assets such as Offshore Patrol Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, Polar Security Cutters, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, shoreside infrastructure, and depot maintenance. In his opening statement, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), expressed his strong support for the Service and its future goals, stating, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you how proud I am of this committee’s jurisdiction over the U.S. Coast Guard – it means a lot to me and the Members of the Committee. I look forward to working with you to establish a Secretary of the Coast Guard, implement the Force Design 2028 vision, and complete the budget reconciliation process, which will provide historic funding levels for the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) drove home the need to pass H.R. 1 and the funding it provides for the Coast Guard: “I know we have discussed this at length this morning and previous times, but I want to really put a fine point on this. The reconciliation investments we were able to secure under President Trump’s leadership are absolutely transformational. I think everybody on this subcommittee would agree that the billions we are seeing in investment for our Coasties is a nonpartisan issue. We’ve got to get this done.”
Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) noted his appreciation for the Coast Guard investments in H.R. 1 and President Trump’s agenda for strengthening America’s shipbuilding capabilities. Patronis said, “Seeing the double-down in investment and importance of shipbuilding and the amazing job creation opportunities that brings – that helps.” He asked Admiral Lunday to describe the benefits of investing in new Offshore Patrol Cutters:
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) asked Admiral Lunday whether he agreed that “there’s a new energy, a new commitment, and new sense of urgency” with this administration to address the Coast Guard’s needs. Admiral Lunday replied, “There is an urgency, Congressman, not only an urgency we feel in the Coast Guard to deliver assets for our crews that are operating on old assets that are increasingly harder to maintain and increasingly not available for operations, but nationally to provide the Coast Guard – to meet the needs of the American people in the face of increasing threats.”
Rep. Kim King-Hinds (R-MP) acknowledged the many missions the Coast Guard undertakes in service to her constituents and the nation and asked Admiral Lunday to describe the benefits of the investments in H.R. 1 to the Coast Guard, including life-saving missions and drug interdiction. Admiral Lunday responded, “Congresswoman, the investment in reconciliation will provide a recapitalization of the capital assets we need, our cutters, boats, aircraft, C5I systems, inshore infrastructure necessary to conduct all of those operations, including throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) noted how important it is for the Coast Guard to be well equipped for its efforts to prevent drug and human trafficking: “One of the most important things to me is making sure that you all have what you need to do drug interdiction as these drugs try to come into our country. What is the single most helpful thing we could do to give you the tools you need to stop fentanyl trafficking, human trafficking? Obviously you all are doing a fantastic job this year with catching these criminals, but what’s the single most helpful thing we can do?” In response, Admiral Lunday described the importance of the shipbuilding acquisitions:
Click here for more information from today’s hearing, including video and witness testimony. |
