Speech #1050203139

Today. over 50 percent of the U.S. population lives within coastal areas and directly benefits from the services the Coast Guard provides. But. indirectly. the Coast Guard. in the performance of its mission. is there to protect every American and every visitor to our coastal waters. In fact. more than twothirds of the total budget for the Coast Guard goes to operating expenses to protect public safety and the marine environment. to enforce fishery and other laws and treaties. maintain aids to navigation. prevent illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigration. and preserve defense readiness. S. 1259 will make management improvements and enhance law enforcement authority for the Coast Guard. enhancing its ability to accomplish these missions. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.