Speech #1140070209

Last year the Coast Guard executed more than 17.500 search and rescue missionsthese are incredibly dangerous. by the wayin rough waters off the coast of Alaska and Florida and Delaware and saved over 3.400 lives. Think about that3.400 lives in 1 year. In addition. last year the Coast Guard law enforcement crews interdicted over 140 metric tons of narcotics. detained over 300 smugglers. and interdicted more than 3.500 migrants. What we are talking about here is bipartisan legislation that needs to be passed that will do one very important thing for our country and the Coast Guard: It is going to improve the mission readiness and performance of the Coast Guard. It demonstrates that the Congress of the United States is paying attention to these brave young men and women.