Finally. the money included in this legislation provides $48 million for operating expenses for the Coast Guard. and the approval of this funding is crucial to the continued ability of the Coast Guard to provide a minimum of essential services to the American public. Proposed cutbacks in the services fiscal year 1982 budget would have severely jeopardized the safety of many at sea. particularly the fishermen from Maine to Alaska. The cuts would also have played havoc with this Nations ability to adequately deal with the problems of illegal drug trafficking and immigration. These are areas which affect all citizens. and it is becoming obvious to many around the country and in this Congress that reducing the capabilities of the Coast Guard is detrimental to our military readiness. our safetyatsea efforts. and our law enforcement responsibilities. I am by no means suggesting that enactment of this urgent supplemental appropriations bill will solve the immediate funding problem of the Coast Guard. because much more remains to be done.
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