Providing for Consideration of H.R.889, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 889, COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - September 15, 2005)
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 440 and ask for its immediate consideration.
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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 440 is a modified open rule that provides for full consideration of H.R. 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Security Act of 2005.
The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and makes in order only those amendments that are preprinted in the Congressional Record or are pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.
H.R. 889 was reported by voice vote from the Committee on Transportation on May 17, 2005. The bill provides for the reauthorization of Coast Guard activities for the coming fiscal year.
H.R. 889 has the strong bipartisan support from members of the Transportation Committee, and I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for again bringing legislation to the floor that has support from both sides of the aisle.
The Coast Guard is critical to our defense against terrorism and our response to natural disasters. Along the gulf coast, the Coast Guard rescued thousands of people from flooded areas in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Many of these people were saved in daring rescue attempts from rooftops or trees.
We all mourn the loss of life caused by Hurricane Katrina, and we do not yet know what the final death toll will be. It is clear, however, that the loss of life would have been much greater without the heroic efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard has the primary responsibility of securing ports from our oceans to inland rivers and has the job of providing maritime security across the country. Given the added responsibility of the Coast Guard in the post-September-11 world, we must ensure that the agency has the adequate personnel to maintain their readiness for both homeland security and for response to natural disasters.
It is clear that the Coast Guard faces many challenges in the homeland security and rescue missions. The GAO noted earlier this year that some stations need additional boats or staff to meet Coast Guard readiness standards and goals.
This legislation maintains a force of 45,500 personnel and authorizes funding for Integrated Deepwater Systems and for sustaining legacy vessels. The bill also requires a report to Congress on the implementation of the Integrated Deepwater Program that is modernizing the Coast Guard's fleet. These actions will allow the Coast Guard to continue to meet its mission to protect the public and our economic interests in the Nation's ports and waterways.
I would like to thank the Coast Guard and all of the many members of the Coast Guard, retirees and volunteers who have worked with the Coast Guard in heroic efforts surrounding Hurricane Katrina. Their ongoing efforts and their ongoing energy that is providing the ability to rebuild and refortify that wonderful part of our country are to be congratulated.
I would like to thank the leaders of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for bringing this legislation to the floor and hope that my colleagues will join me in support for the rule and the underlying bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this fair rule and the bipartisan legislation which provides critical funding to improve our Nation's coasts and ports.
I think it is very timely that we are addressing this legislation today because the Coast Guard has done an exemplary job in rescuing the many victims of Hurricane Katrina; and we need to ensure, as my colleague has said, that they have the necessary resources to continue their mission.
I believe all Members should be able to support this rule and the underlying legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.
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