Coast Guard and our efforts to modemnize their fleet. The brave men and women ot our Coast Guard deserve the resources they need in order to carry out their mission. We need to support funding for the many programs aimed at strengthening our drug interdiction and refugee recovery efforts. much of which can be accomplished by ensuring that the necessary funds are dedicated towards the Deepwater acquisition program. Nearly a decade ago. the Coast Guard initiated a multibillion dollar eftort to modernize its aging assets. However. due to serious gaps in funding and a lack of program accountability this effort has taJlen short of its goals thus tar.