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You say all your Coast Guard boats on Lake Michigan have fuel and use it? They must be siphoning cars at night.

During the latter part of the Clinton administration the Coast Guard had to beach some boats due to lack of fuel.

I am certain the problem has gotten better under Bush but here is some recent stuff about the situation.

Our Coast Guard is one of our most important elements of Homeland Defense, extremely important. They need more funding, more personnel, and more cutters, and yes more fuel.

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U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure U.S. Rep. Don Young, Chairman

Contact: Steve Hansen (Communications Director) (202) 225-7749
Justin Harclerode (Communications & Outreach Assistant) (202) 226-8767

To: National Desk/Transportation Reporter
March 8, 2001

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Calls For Emergency Funding To Combat Reductions In Operations;

Committee Leadership Supports Emergency Supplemental Funding

Washington, DC - The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard today called for emergency supplemental funding to cover a shortfall that has led to a reduction in Coast Guard operations.

Admiral James M. Loy testified before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation that the shortfall of approximately $91 million for fiscal year 2001 has resulted in a 10 percent reduction in Coast Guard operations. Loy added that if the shortfall is not covered by emergency funding, a 30 percent reduction in operations for the third and fourth quarters of the year could result. This could affect drug and migrant interdiction activities, and fisheries law enforcement, as well as adversely affect search and rescue response times because of reduced presence.

The shortfall is a result of several factors. After the passage of last year?s Transportation Appropriations bill, which annually funds the Coast Guard, legislation passed that expanded entitlements for members of the Armed Services. The Coast Guard has also had to account for a Department of Defense adjustment for fuel contract prices, generally rising fuel costs, and a critical need for aviation spare parts.

Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) and Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman Frank Lobiondo (R-NJ) have written to Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asking that the Coast Guard be included in a Department of Defense supplemental funding bill for this fiscal year.

Chairman LoBiondo To Work For Passage Of Coast Guard Supplemental Funds

?After years of deferring equipment maintenance, operating aging equipment, and dealing with retention challenges, the Coast Guard has reached the end of the line,? said Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo. ?Like the other military services, a shortfall this year in Department of Defense personnel entitlements and rising fuel costs may force the Coast Guard to cut back critical missions.

?I will be calling on the other members of our subcommittee and the Coast Guard Caucus to support our efforts when the Defense Department supplemental is considered by Congress,? LoBiondo said. ?All Americans have an interest in making sure that the Coast Guard is prepared to support our country?s defense and respond to national emergencies.?

Coast Guard Needs Funding To Fulfill Vital Mission ? Vice Chairman Simmons

?As someone who represents the Coast Guard Academy, I am well aware of the vital importance of the Coast Guard to our community,? said Subcommittee Vice Chairman Rob Simmons (R-CT). ?These dedicated men and women are on the front line in saving the lives of boaters and commercial fishermen, defending our borders from drug smugglers, and cleaning up oil spills, so it's extremely important that we push for supplemental funding as soon as practicable.?

Funding Problem Needs To Be Corrected ? Committee Chairman Young

?The Coast Guard?s mission must be fully supported here in Washington,? said Committee Chairman Don Young. ?In three out of the last four years, the Coast Guard has needed supplemental funding. This problem needs to be corrected by providing all the necessary funding at the beginning of each fiscal year.

?I?m encouraged that President Bush has proposed an increase in the Coast Guard?s operational budget. His commitment to the Coast Guard should be commended.

?I?m also confident that Chairman LoBiondo, Vice Chairman Simmons, and I can work with the Administration to make sure the Coast Guard gets the funding it needs to conduct its vital missions.?