Mr. Chairman. I rise to support additional funding for the Coast Guard. During my tenure in Congress. the role of the Coast Guard has changed dramatically. Twentyfive years ago. the Coast Guard was primarily responsible for vessel inspections. lifesaving. and the maintenance of aids to navigation. Since then. the Coast Guard has been given an expanded role in drug and migrant interdiction. oil spill cleanup. and boating safety. Unfortunately. funding has not kept pace with these new duties. This year. the gap between funding and missions is particularly serious. The funds appropriated by H.R. 5518 will not permit the Coast Guard to do its job.