The Coast Guard Subcommittee has received a large amount of testimony over the past 2 years emphasizing the importance to the service of recruiting the best possible applicants. and of providing quality training in law enforcement and the other important missions of the Coast Guard. The funds in this amendment should help us to regain at least some of the ground lost in these areas as a result of budget cuts made last year. The appropriations bill before us does not at present include any money for the continuation of the Coast Guards Haitian migrant interdiction program. Although I personally continue to have problems in principle with this program. the fact is that this program has been successful in achieving its goal of reducing illegal immigration. and more importantly. I am convinced it has saved many human lives. The Coast Guards most important mission is to save life. and the Haitian migrant program ought to be continued at least until a more satisfactory longterm solution to this problem can be achieved. The appropriations bill also contains only halfyear funding for the vessel traffic service systems presently operating in Berwick Bay. and New Orleans. La.. and in San Francisco.
Keywords matched
illegal immigration migrant