Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008

COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - April 24, 2008)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 2830 is an important milestone in protecting our Nation's port and maritime security. It is the first bill to provide adequate resources to an agency that has been systematically underfunded for years. H.R. 2330 authorizes 1,500 additional Service Members, more Maritime Security Response Teams, more Canine Detection Teams, and the Waterway Watch program.

This bill was favorably reported by my committee on a bipartisan basis last fall. Representative King and I share a commitment to the Coast Guard. I am pleased that we were able to work together to give the Coast Guard the resources it needs. For too long, the Coast Guard has had to make do with aging assets that do not meet the challenges of a 9/11 world. The Coast Guard is actually still operating boats that were used during World War II. It is time that these boats were retired and newer assets brought into service. These boats, however, must work.

Unfortunately, the Coast Guard has accepted, under the Deepwater contract, boats that can't even float. That is unacceptable. The American public and the men and women of the Coast Guard deserve better. The Homeland Security Committee has added the Deepwater reform provisions during our markup to get this critical program back on course.

I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Cummings for displaying a willingness to work with me to bring this bill to the floor. I urge passage of this important legislation that will significantly improve the security of our Nation's maritime environment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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