The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a bill to set policy and spending levels for the Coast Guard and reauthorize the Maritime Administration. Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, led passage of the bill as the ranking Democratic member on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.

“The Coast Guard performs its broad array of missions with skill and professionalism. This bill gives the Guard the resources they need to provide security and safety on our coasts,” Larsen said. “In a coastal state like Washington, a strong economy needs a safe and secure maritime environment. This bill will help the Coast Guard and maritime industry thrive.”

A full summary of the bill is available here.

The bill prohibits the decommissioning of the Coast Guard’s two heavy duty icebreakers. Larsen and Sen. Maria Cantwell have led the effort to preserve the Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet. They recently visited Vigor Shipyards in Seattle where both the Polar Sea and Polar Star are currently stationed.

“The Arctic will be the Northwest Passage of the 21st century, and the United States needs icebreakers to secure our interests in the region,” Larsen said. “Maintaining an icebreaker fleet protects American commerce and our national security, and creates hundreds of jobs in Northwest Washington. We should not cede this important region to international competitors.”

The bill also reauthorizes the Marine Debris Research, Reduction and Prevention Act.

“As debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami floats toward our shores, these provisions will help states and the federal government clean up and protect the environment,” Larsen said.

The bill includes language Larsen authored maintain the Coast Guard’s plan to purchase 180 Response Boat-Mediums. These 45-foot boats are used for search and rescue, safety and security operations. Some of the fleet is being constructed by Kvichak Marine Industries in Washington state.

Washington state shipbuilders will directly benefit from the reauthorization of the Maritime Administration, which supports U.S. shipbuilders and works to integrate waterborne transportation with the full transportation system.

Larsen urged his colleagues to support the bill in a floor statement this morning:

Larsen Urges the House of Representatives to Pass H.Res. 825, to Reauthorize the Coast Guard

I rise in support of the resolution introduced by my colleague from New Jersey and chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Chairman LoBiondo.

Before I begin my remarks, I first want to join Chairman LoBiondo in offering my condolences to the entire Coast Guard family for the tragic loss of one of their shipmates during a drug interdiction operation in the waters off Southern California this past weekend.

We all recognize that the servicemen and women of the Coast Guard willingly and routinely expose themselves to highly dangerous conditions on the behalf of our nation. Nevertheless, it is a profound tragedy when a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Coast Guard at this time.

The legislation I stand in support of today has been developed as a compromise over the past two months during negotiations with the Senate. It amends H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012, that passed the House last November, and also incorporates numerous provisions from the amendments to H.R. 2838 that cleared the Senate in September.

I appreciate Chairman LoBiondo’s willingness to work with me on this legislation in a bipartisan and open manner. I am confident in saying that the final bill embodies a fair and bipartisan compromise for which everyone involved can feel rightly proud.

As the Ranking Democratic Member on the Coast Guard Subcommittee, it has been a high priority for me to advance policies to revitalize and expand our domestic maritime industries. This legislation marks a significant achievement in doing just that.

This legislation will create jobs in the vital shipbuilding industry by taking steps towards improving our icebreaker fleet and finishing the program of record for the Response Boat-Medium. Earlier this year, I had a chance to visit job creating shipyards that will be a part of the modernization of the Coast Guard fleet. These shipyards provide good paying jobs for hard-working engineers, welders, electricians and mechanics in the Northwest and throughout the country. The reauthorization of the Maritime Administration will improve the fortunes of those shipyards and I am pleased it is included in this bill.

This bill also reauthorizes the Coast Guard, and reforms a number of key programs. The Coast Guard has one of the most expansive missions in the federal government. This multi-mission, maritime military service is responsible for a broad range of activities including mariner licensing, emergency oil spill response, vessel inspections, and navigation safety.

The Coast Guard remains indispensible to the maintenance of a reliable and secure marine supply chain that supports maritime cargo operations, which contribute $649 billion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product, sustaining more than 13 million jobs.

This legislation authorizes funding levels for both the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve that provide for increased funding levels in Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014 over the Fiscal Year 2012 appropriation level. I believe the funding levels in the bill remain insufficient to address the documented needs of the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard has been asked to do more with less. I am afraid that their only choice will be to do less with less.

So while I would prefer these levels were higher, I understand that these funding levels are likely the best that can be provided under present constraints. And that’s just wrong.

We must be aware, however, that funding levels in this legislation are absent any consideration of what will be needed to address the estimated $260 million in damages to Coast Guard facilities in the Northeast as a result of Hurricane Sandy. These costs will need to be addressed in future supplemental funding.

I want to highlight that this legislation contains several provisions that will improve the Coast Guard’s readiness and capabilities in the increasingly important Arctic region.

Specifically, this bill directs the Coast Guard to complete a business case analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness of reactivating its heavy icebreaker, the Polar Sea. This analysis is overdue and vitally important. At present, the Coast Guard has only one icebreaker, the Healy. Although the Coast Guard expects in 2013 to reactivate its other heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star, the plain fact remains that the Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet remains severely under-capitalized and over-extended.

As it will be years before a new icebreaker can be delivered, it is essential that we make an informed decision on the Polar Sea now in order to have a balanced assessment of Coast Guard polar icebreaking capabilities for the near term.

This legislation also advances provisions that address many administrative, personnel, procurement and regulatory issues affecting the Coast Guard. Specifically, several new authorities to bring the Coast Guard into parity with the other armed services have been included.

Additionally, this legislation contains new authorities that will improve the efficiency and oversight of the Coast Guard’s major acquisition programs, especially new advance procurement authority and development of multi-year capital investment plans.

This bill includes language I authored that requires the Coast Guard to complete the procurement of 180 Response Boat-Mediums, or RB-Ms, as originally planned in the program of record for this vessel. RB-Ms are a critical piece of maritime security, and the completion of these boats will lead to additional job creation in small shipyards, a priority for me.

Besides addressing the needs of the Coast Guard, this legislation also advances several important initiatives to support the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Title III of the legislation protects the Jones Act by strengthening the review and notice requirements for future administrative waivers. This provision, originally called for in H.R. 3202, the American Mariner Jobs Protection Act, should help preserve more opportunities for U.S. carriers and seafarers.

This title also provides a formal authorization for the Committee on the Maritime Transportation System.

Title IV of the legislation includes several provisions that will improve the Maritime Administration’s ability to accept, manage and recycle vessels held in the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

I am also pleased that Title VI of this legislation reauthorizes the Marine Debris Research, Reduction and Prevention Act. More and more marine debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami continues to wash up on the shores of Pacific Coast states, including in my home state of Washington. Japan, even in the midst of recovery from this disaster, has shown extraordinary leadership and friendship with the Untied States by recently announcing they will donate $5 million to debris cleanup. It is important that we reauthorize the Marine Debris Act to ensure that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has the authority it needs to work with the states to address this serious threat.

I very much appreciate the cooperation of Chairman LoBiondo for including this important environmental measure. I also applaud my colleague Mr. Thompson for his work to ensure this program is reauthorized.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, this legislation reflects a fair and balanced compromise. We have an obligation to support the Coast Guard and to support our U.S. Merchant Marine. A safe and secure maritime environment is good for job creation, good for the U.S. economy, and good for the American people. In my estimation, this legislation fulfills that obligation, and I urge its passage today.