Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011

Floor Speech

* Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise regarding H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act.

* H.R. 2838 reauthorizes the activities of the U.S. Coast Guard and authorizes funding for the resources necessary to support the men and women who put their lives at risk every day to promote the safety and livelihoods of the people who use our country's waterways. The bill provides these resources in a fiscally responsible manner that advances the mission of the Guard while improving administration and reducing costs.

* Our nation's waterways are the recreational and commercial arteries of the country. The safe and reliable movement of goods and people on our lakes, rivers and along our coastlines, helped to build the United States into the country it is today. Since its creation, the Coast Guard has played a vital role in America's economic and national security. The investments authorized by this bill will help to ensure the continued availability of the critical resources necessary for the Coast Guard to continue serving and protecting the people of the United States.

* Despite its benefits, the bill has a major flaw. While the underlying bill enjoys bipartisan support, I share the Administration's concern about the Majority's insistence on attaching controversial ``ballast water'' language to the measure, whose effect would be to undermine the Clean Water Act and hinder states' efforts to control invasive species. For that reason, I will support the Dingell-Slaughter and Bishop amendments addressing this issue and will oppose final passage if they are not adopted.

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