Today. over 50 percent of the U.S. population lives within the coastal zone. and directly benefits from the services the Coast Guard provides. Indirectly. the Coast Guard provides invaluable services to every American. In fact. more than twothirds of the total budget for the Coast Guard is used for its operating expenses. as it provides for the public safety. protects the marine environment. enforces laws and treaties. maintains aids to navigation. prevents illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigration. and preserves defense readiness. As we act on this bill. it is fitting that we briefly review the history of our Nations oldest continuous seagoing servicethat has fought in almost every war since the Constitution established our government in 1789. Throughout its history of over two hundred years. the Coast Guard has served as a multimission service. flexible enough to adjust to the needs of the nation in peacetime as well as wartime.
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illegal immigration