Posted:
October 29, 2009
The U.S. House of Representatives Oct. 23 approved Coast Guard authorization legislation that, among other things, authorizes the construction of a new icebreaker for the Great Lakes.
“Congress has added new missions for the Coast Guard, but without increasing personnel or funding, and the service has been working shorthanded and underfunded,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), who sponsored the bill. “H.R. 3619 is a comprehensive bill that will enable the Coast Guard to carry out its many missions with additional funding, new resources, and increased training standards.”
The legislation would if enacted authorize the construction of a sister ship to the Mackinaw, currently the most capable icebreaker in the region. According to the text of the bill, U.S.-flagged vessels suffered more than $1.3 million in damages in the spring of 2008 because shipping channels were not properly kept clear. Funding would need to be appropriated separately for this project.
The legislation also includes improvements in the TWIC program, an improved method of determining medical regulations, and a new loan program for students seeking to pursue careers as merchant mariners.
Though Coast Guard authorization bills have stalled in the Senate in previous years, lawmakers are cautiously optimistic about passage this year, reported CQ Today. The Senate has already passed its own Coast Guard authorization bill, sponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
House of Representatives approves Coast Guard authorization bill with provision for new icebreaker
The U.S. House of Representatives Oct. 23 approved Coast Guard authorization legislation that, among other things, authorizes the construction of a new icebreaker for the Great Lakes.
“Congress has added new missions for the Coast Guard, but without increasing personnel or funding, and the service has been working shorthanded and underfunded,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), who sponsored the bill. “H.R. 3619 is a comprehensive bill that will enable the Coast Guard to carry out its many missions with additional funding, new resources, and increased training standards.”
The legislation would if enacted authorize the construction of a sister ship to the Mackinaw, currently the most capable icebreaker in the region. According to the text of the bill, U.S.-flagged vessels suffered more than $1.3 million in damages in the spring of 2008 because shipping channels were not properly kept clear. Funding would need to be appropriated separately for this project.
The legislation also includes improvements in the TWIC program, an improved method of determining medical regulations, and a new loan program for students seeking to pursue careers as merchant mariners.
Though Coast Guard authorization bills have stalled in the Senate in previous years, lawmakers are cautiously optimistic about passage this year, reported CQ Today. The Senate has already passed its own Coast Guard authorization bill, sponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).