Speech #970074402

I could not agree with the gentleman more. If the Coast Guard had a dollar for each speech about the problems of illegal aliens which has been given in this body. it would have less of a problem. Let me say a word about the substance of the amendment. The amendment before us would increase Coast Guard funding by $84 million over that approved by the Appropriations Committee in the bill before us. That is $78 million more than the administrations request. The new level would be that approved by the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee in the 1982 Coast Guard authorization bill. which is on the calendar of the House at this moment and it is our judgment it is the minimum amount necessary for the Coast Guard to function during 1982 at a level equal to that of the past year.