[Senate Hearing 117-834]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 117-834
NOMINATION OF ADMIRAL LINDA L. FAGAN,
NOMINEE TO BE COMMANDANT,
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
APRIL 28, 2022
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
54-758 PDF WASHINGTON : 2024
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, Chair
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Ranking
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii ROY BLUNT, Missouri
EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts TED CRUZ, Texas
GARY PETERS, Michigan DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin JERRY MORAN, Kansas
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
JON TESTER, Montana MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona TODD YOUNG, Indiana
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada MIKE LEE, Utah
BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin
JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West
RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia Virginia
RICK SCOTT, Florida
CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming
Lila Helms, Staff Director
Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
George Greenwell, Policy Coordinator and Security Manager
John Keast, Republican Staff Director
Crystal Tully, Republican Deputy Staff Director
Steven Wall, General Counsel
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Hearing held on April 28, 2022................................... 1
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 1
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 2
Statement of Senator Klobuchar................................... 18
Statement of Senator Blumenthal.................................. 19
Statement of Senator Blackburn................................... 21
Statement of Senator Hickenlooper................................ 23
Statement of Senator Sullivan.................................... 24
Statement of Senator Fischer..................................... 26
Statement of Senator Young....................................... 27
Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 29
Statement of Senator Scott....................................... 31
Statement of Senator Baldwin..................................... 32
Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 33
Witnesses
Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Nominee to be Commandant, United States
Coast Guard.................................................... 3
Prepared statement........................................... 4
Biographical information..................................... 7
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Admiral Linda L. Fagan
by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 37
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 38
Hon. Richard Blumenthal...................................... 40
Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................ 40
Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................ 41
Hon. Ted Cruz................................................ 41
NOMINATION OF ADMIRAL LINDA L. FAGAN,
NOMINEE TO BE COMMANDANT,
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
----------
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m. in room
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Maria Cantwell,
Chairwoman of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Cantwell [presiding], Klobuchar,
Blumenthal, Peters, Baldwin, Hickenlooper, Wicker, Cruz,
Fischer, Sullivan, Blackburn, Young, and Scott.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
The Chair. The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee will come to order.
Today, we are having a hearing on the Nomination of Admiral
Linda L. Fagan to be the Commandant of the United States Coast
Guard.
So welcome to Admiral Fagan. Admiral Fagan assumed the role
of Vice Commandant on June 18, 2021, where she executes the
Commandant's Strategic Intent, manages international
operations, and serves as the lead acquisition officer
overseeing the largest modernization of the coastal fleet since
World War II.
She has served in the Coast Guard for nearly 36 years and
beginning her career as a sailor on the POLAR STAR, a 399-foot
Polar Icebreaker, which has since served on all seven
continents.
She has led numerous leadership and safety positions,
including as Commander for the New York Sector, more than 15
years as the Marine Inspector, and recently as the Commander of
the Pacific Area in Charge of Coast Guard Operations and
Personnel on the West Coast and Indo-Pacific.
She has extensive interagency and inter-governmental
experience, having worked with the International Maritime
Organization, the International Labor Organization, and she has
an impressive science background with a Bachelor's Degree in
Marine Science, something everybody is excited about here, from
the Coast Guard Academy, and two Masters' Degrees, one of which
is from the University of Washington in Marine Affairs, which
we're very proud of, and so she is the longest-serving Active
Duty Marine Officer and has earned numerous distinctions across
her years of service.
But beyond that, beyond that impressive resume, this is a
historic moment for our country and for women in the Armed
Services. It will be the first time that a woman will lead one
of the six branches of the Armed Services.
So I am hoping that your leadership will also lead to more
progress on getting women recruited and retained in the Coast
Guard, that with your help and focus on important issues, like
childcare, health care, and education, that ``Coasties'' like
your daughter can have a long career in the Coast Guard.
So we are excited about this historic moment and so glad to
have you and your daughters here and thank you so much for your
willingness to serve our country.
Now I'll turn to my colleague Senator Wicker.
STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
Senator Wicker. Thank you, Senator Cantwell, and absolutely
this is a historic moment. This is an important hearing for the
Nomination of Admiral Linda Fagan to be Commandant. So welcome
and welcome to the family as the Chair just stated.
Admiral Fagan is well qualified to lead the Coast Guard.
She excelled in each of her previous posts, all of which were
highly visible and very demanding. In her current assignment as
Vice Commandant, she has led the Coast Guard through the
acquisition of much-needed assets, like the Polar Security
Cutter and Offshore Patrol Cutter.
Admiral Fagan understands the needs of the public, of the
Coast Guard, and those who will be under her charge. She has
the experience, judgment, and poise this Nation expects of its
leaders and, yes, this is an important step for all women as
she takes command of one of the branches of the Nation's Armed
Services.
Today, the Coast Guard is being asked to do more than ever
and yet it continues to be challenged by being under-resourced.
It's time for Congress to step in and provide more support.
Recently, Admiral Fagan and I traveled to the Coast Guard
Yard in Baltimore along with Senator Cardin. I was dismayed to
learn that the Yard could not even accommodate the new National
Security Cutter because of insufficient and outdated
infrastructure. This is just one example of the Coast Guard's
dire infrastructure needs. Its current infrastructure
recapitalization backlog is roughly $2 billion and deferred
maintenance projects amount to another $1 billion.
Cutting this backlog and getting the Coast Guard fully
supplied has been a top priority of mine and I look forward to
working with Admiral Fagan toward that end. I'm especially
proud of Mississippi's role in modernizing the Coast Guard. The
National Security Cutter is able to operate anywhere in the
world and the Polar Security Cutter will be an essential asset
in the ongoing great power competition in the Arctic.
Both of these Mississippi-built vessels are critical to our
national security. The Coast Guard needs these shore-side
facilities, infrastructure, and advanced systems to support its
new fleet.
To address this need, last year I introduced the Unwavering
Support for our Coast Guard Act, USCG Act. This would provide
full funding for shore-side infrastructure, ensure needed
renovations at Coast Guard facilities around the country, pay
Coast Guard members during a government shutdown, as we do
other service members, and require the service to evaluate the
facilities and assets needed to complete its mission.
Our committee has the privilege of overseeing the Coast
Guard. It is therefore our duty to make sure this branch of the
Armed Forces has the leadership, policies, personnel, and
resources it needs to succeed.
I look forward to our discussion today with Admiral Fagan
and I trust that the Committee and the Full Senate will
complete her confirmation process without delay.
Madam Chair.
The Chair. I like that. I like that. Thank you, Senator
Wicker, for those comments highlighting those issues.
Admiral Fagan, welcome. Please take a moment, if you'd
like, to introduce your family or any other guests that are
with you, and we welcome your statement.
STATEMENT OF ADMIRAL LINDA L. FAGAN, NOMINEE TO BE COMMANDANT,
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
Admiral Fagan. Thank you. Thank you and good morning, Chair
Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and Distinguished Members of
the Committee.
I request that my written testimony be submitted for the
record, and I'm honored to appear before you today and humbled
to have the confidence of President Biden as well as Secretary
Mayorkas as their nominee to serve as the 27th Commandant of
the United States Coast Guard.
I'm grateful for the unwavering support of my family
throughout my Coast Guard journey and excited to have my two
daughters joining me here today.
I'm also grateful to our Commandant, Admiral Karl Schultz,
who has served this Nation with distinction for nearly four
decades. Under his leadership, the Coast Guard has made great
strides to improve our readiness, resiliency, and
responsiveness, and I celebrate the progress we have made and
look forward to building on this success.
For nearly 232 years the Coast Guard has provided safety
and security to ensure America's national and economic
prosperity. Today, your Coast Guard oversees the waterways that
power our Nation's economy, ensures the safety of our cargo and
passenger vessel fleets, and watches over our marine natural
resources. Americans can be proud of their Coast Guard.
However, the world we operate in is changing rapidly.
Advances in technology, new demands in the polar regions,
pressures on maritime supply chains, and threats to the global
rules-based order are changing demand for Coast Guard missions,
and changing the communities where our people live and work.
The Coast Guard must keep pace with these changes to uphold
our proud tradition of service. The heartbeat of the Coast
Guard is our workforce and without them we cannot execute
missions.
If confirmed as the 27th Commandant, my highest priority
will be to transform the way we recruit, train, and retain our
workforce through a 21st Century talent management system.
We will recruit people who reflect the diversity of the
public we serve, are service-oriented with a high sense of
purpose and are committed to our core values of honor, respect,
and devotion to duty.
Once an individual joins the Coast Guard, we will retain
them by providing them and their families the support that they
need and deserve, access to high-quality housing, health care,
and childcare.
We will provide greater flexibility and eliminate barriers
that deter people from continuing to serve. Our leaders will
provide our increasingly diverse workforce a strong sense of
belonging so every individual is valued, safe, and able to
deliver their best service to the Nation.
We will provide our teams the right tools, including a
modern fleet of vessels and aircraft, and the resilient shore
infrastructure facilities that support them. Applying new
technologies will incorporate data systems into our operations
so our leaders can make the best decisions across every
mission.
We will continue to flawlessly execute our core missions at
home while we meet global demand for the Coast Guard by
applying our assets where they provide the American people the
greatest benefit. From the Arctic to Antarctica, throughout the
world's oceans, and along the entire coastline of the United
States, we will protect the Nation's safety, security, and
prosperity.
If confirmed, I recognize and am humbled by the immense
responsibility I will assume as the 27th Commandant of the
United States Coast Guard. I'm committed to the service, our
workforce, and the Nation. I look forward to working with this
committee as we navigate the Coast Guard into the future.
Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and Distinguished
Members, it's truly a privilege to appear before you today.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify and I look forward to
your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of
Admiral Fagan follow:]
Prepared Statement of Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Nominee to be Commandant,
U.S. Coast Guard
Introduction
Good afternoon, Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and
distinguished members of the Committee. It is an honor to appear before
you today. I can think of no greater privilege than to continue my
service to the Nation as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. I
am humbled and grateful for the confidence and trust President Biden
and Secretary Mayorkas placed in me with their nomination. I look
forward to sharing my views and vision for our Service and I look
forward to answering your questions. The work required to build
tomorrow's Coast Guard has already begun. If confirmed, I look forward
to continuing this work with you.
I want to acknowledge and thank Admiral Karl Schultz, who led our
Service with distinction through historic challenges. Under his
leadership, and with the help of the Administration and this Committee,
the Coast Guard is making great strides to improve our readiness,
responsiveness, and resilience. He redoubled our focus on diversity,
equity, and inclusion; improved our ability to prevent and respond to
sexual harassment and sexual assault; as well as identified and removed
numerous legacy barriers to recruitment and retention of a talented
workforce that more closely mirrors the Nation we serve. I celebrate
the progress we have made over the past four years, however there is
still much work to be done. I am committed to continuing to move the
organization forward to ensure we have the workforce and readiness the
Nation expects.
The Journey
My 37 years of Coast Guard service prepares me well to serve as the
Commandant. I have operated on all seven continents, across the breadth
of our missions, and among international, federal, state, tribal, and
local partners. Those experiences instilled in me a deep understanding
of this Service's value to the Nation. I have a deep foundation in our
role in the domestic marine transportation system, including
regulation, oversight, and partnerships with the commercial maritime
industry. I have held Joint Service positions in the Department of
Defense and led global operations supporting National Defense and
Homeland Security. I have commanded front line Coast Guard operations,
managed national emergencies and responses, negotiated international
standards, and collaborated at the most senior levels of government. My
career has been dedicated to keeping the American people and our
maritime commerce safe and secure at home and abroad. I remain
committed to that purpose.
The Coast Guard has fought in every armed conflict that the United
States has engaged in for nearly 232 years. Our dedicated and
professional workforce has served in harrowing conditions during war,
peace, and times of change. The Coast Guard frequently led as our
society moved forward. More than one hundred women served as lighthouse
keepers beginning in the 1830s, like Ida Lewis in Rhode Island. In 1880
Richard Etheridge took command of Pea Island Lifesaving Station, the
first African-American to command a Federal installation. During World
War II, Dorothy Stratton led the 10,000 volunteers of the Women's
Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (the ``SPARs'') who performed
critical wartime duties. Our history is full of pioneers who paved the
way, for not just me, but for our entire workforce. I am fully
committed to providing opportunity to our entire workforce and creating
a sense of belonging as we serve the Nation.
America's Coast Guard Today
Our total workforce of over 57,000 Active Duty, Reserve, and
Civilian personnel, supported by 21,000 Auxiliary volunteers, serve
around the globe. They are the heart of the Coast Guard and live by our
core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. I am committed to
upholding these values, which implicitly include a culture of inclusion
and respect.
As America's maritime first responder, the Coast Guard is woven
into communities along the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Gulf Coasts
as well as the Great Lakes and navigable inland rivers. I embrace the
many ways we contribute to our Nation's safety and prosperity: we
rescue mariners in distress, protect vital marine natural resources,
break ice to facilitate commerce, inspect ships to verify safety and
pollution controls, deliver aid after a disaster, mark navigable
waterways to keep mariners safe from hazards, secure our ports and
harbors, and interdict illegal drugs far from our shores.
As an operational Component within the Department of Homeland
Security, the Coast Guard is committed to the Secretary's priorities,
including maritime border security, full participation in crisis
response, and the protection of critical infrastructure, particularly
in the cyber domain. I am committed to being a leader in the Department
who will collaborate as we work to ensure that the Coast Guard and
Department of Homeland Security are ready for the next emerging threat.
In our role as the only military Service within the Department of
Homeland Security, we are aligned with the Department of Defense to
reduce risk across numerous homeland security and national security
challenges. The Coast Guard's unique authorities and capabilities
complement our sister Services in the Department of Defense and enrich
our relationships with international partners and allies.
Increasingly, the demand for Coast Guard services is global and
comes from many levels of government. As a leader among the Coast
Guards of the world, we model and uphold the rule of law at sea,
contribute to our country's global standing, and counter both state and
non-state malign actions. Our strong partnerships with international
governments and organizations are critical to addressing transnational
maritime threats. In an increasingly connected world, our global
partnerships protect Americans' interests at home.
The Coast Guard America Needs Tomorrow
The Coast Guard advances America's national and economic security.
We will not waver from our core missions that keep Americans safe. We
will respond to mariners in distress and to incidents of pollution that
threaten our waters. We will uphold the security of our ports and
critical infrastructure. As a former icebreaker sailor, I am committed
to our Nation's icebreaking fleet as it protects our sovereignty in the
Arctic, our interests in Antarctica, and keeps our Great Lakes and
Northeast ports open for safe navigation every winter.
And as the Service's most senior Marine Inspector, I am committed
to the Coast Guard's role as a regulator to protect the resilience of
our marine transportation system that facilitates more than $5 trillion
in economic activity every year. A resilient maritime industry requires
safety for mariners, who have the right to work in an environment free
from sexual assault and sexual harassment. I am committed to preventing
these occurrences and responding to allegations within our
jurisdiction.
We will continue to reinforce the maritime norms on the world's
oceans that keep America safe. The racing stripe painted on our ships
will remain a symbol of professionalism, good governance, and hope. A
global Coast Guard presence creates security at home and strengthens
partners and allies as they counter threats to their sovereignty and
prosperity. I will continue to foster partnerships and capacity with
nations who uphold maritime governance to prevent the flow of
narcotics, and to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
However--the world is changing rapidly and the Coast Guard must
keep pace. The new forces influencing our operating environment are
numerous. The global pandemic reshaped our economy and maritime supply
chains. Climate change is creating new demands in the high latitudes
and resilience challenges at home. Rapid advances in technology,
increased reliance on data, and growing cyber threats created an
entirely new domain of operations. The ongoing attack on democracy and
the rule of law in Ukraine, and the pacing threat China presents, are
changing the international security landscape. All of these factors are
changing not only demand for Coast Guard missions, but also the
communities where our people live and work. If confirmed, I will focus
on several areas of emphasis.
My highest priority will be to modernize our talent management
system, which has not significantly changed in 75 years, to best
recruit and retain our people in the 21st century. Without our people
we will not be able to maintain or operate our cutters, boats,
aircraft, or technology, or uphold standards for commercial vessel
safety or pollution prevention. The Coast Guard workforce of tomorrow
must reflect the American public we serve and requires the tools,
policy, training, and support to succeed across all our mission areas.
The people joining our Service today have expectations different
from those who served in the past. Therefore, we must adjust the way we
recruit, train and retain them and their families. We will seek
expanded opportunities for our workforce and their families to access
high quality healthcare, housing, and childcare. We will remain
relentless in our effort to eradicate harmful behaviors, such as sexual
assault and sexual harassment, from our Service. We will continue to
revisit policies that deter otherwise qualified members from continuing
their careers, and instead we will actively pursue means to encourage
our brightest talent to stay. Similarly, we will pursue new training
designs to engage our workforce in meaningful learning, whether in a
classroom or in the field. These actions will advance mission
excellence and enhance our workforce's sense of belonging. I am
committed to pursuing transformational change in the way we recruit,
retain, and support our workforce.
To accomplish the broad spectrum of Coast Guard missions, we will
provide our workforce the assets they need to maintain a competitive
edge over malign actors. This includes a modern fleet of cutters, small
boats, and aircraft that will be supplemented by unmanned systems and
sensors. Equally importantly, we need data systems to enable rapid
sharing of information and provide our operational commanders decision
advantage. Smart application of advanced technologies such as
artificial intelligence will allow us to make the best decisions as we
inspect new commercial vessels, search for overdue recreational
boaters, or seek to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs across our
maritime border.
As important as digital systems are to our future, we will still
depend on brick and mortar. Every Coast Guard mission begins and ends
on shore. Our facilities, piers, and runways are as critical for
operations as our ships and aircraft, and the buildings where our
people eat and sleep while standing duty are as important to workforce
retention as our talent management policies. With your help, I will
ensure our shore infrastructure supports our operations at sea, and
that every member of our Service has the safe and resilient workplace
they deserve.
Given the dynamic threats and evolving national security
priorities, we must also transform how we employ our forces. The Coast
Guard will be a leader in global maritime governance by enforcing the
rule of law, facilitating safe and secure maritime commerce, and
protecting people and natural resources regardless of the changing
geopolitical landscape. We will employ our assets and people to
optimize mission excellence, finding new and innovative force
employment models. The Coast Guard will best serve the Nation by
applying our resources to the highest priority missions that only we
can uniquely perform.
Conclusion
I am grateful to Congress, and this Committee in particular, for
your interest, dedication, and support of our Coast Guard and its
workforce. Your commitment to them, and their dedication to the
mission, ensures the Coast Guard continues to answer the Nation's call.
I hope to be able to work together with you in the future to move this
great service forward. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before
you today and I look forward to your questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Linda L.
Fagan (Maiden Name: Keene).
2. Position to which nominated: Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.
3. Date of Nomination: 1 April 2022.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2703 Martin Luther King
Jr. Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20593-7000.
5. Date and Place of Birth: July 1, 1963; Columbus, Ohio.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
John J. Fagan; not working; Moira E. Fagan, 29; Aileen I.
Fagan, 28
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
2007-2008 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National
Defense University; MS in National Resource
Strategy.
1998-2000 University of Washington, School of Marine Affairs;
Masters in Marine Affairs.
1981-1985 United States Coast Guard Academy, BS in Marine
Science.
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
June 2021 to Vice Commandant
present
June 2018-June Pacific Area Commander
2021
June 2016-June USCG HQ Deputy Commandant for Operations Policy and
2018 Capabilities (DCO-d)
June 2014-June Commander First Coast Guard District, Boston MA
2016
June 2012-June NORTHCOM--Deputy Director for Operations (J3D)
2014
June 2010-June Commander, Sector New York;
2012
May 2008-June Executive Assistant/Executive Secretariat to the
2010 Commandant and Vice Commandant;
July 2007-June Duty Under Instruction; Industrial College of the
2008 Armed Forces;
July 2004-June Executive Officer, Activities Europe, Rotterdam, NL;
2008
June 2000-July Division Chief, Foreign and Offshore Vessel
2004 Compliance; CG Headquarters, Washington DC;
Aug 1998-June Duty Under Instruction; University of Washington;
2000
July 1995-Aug Chief of Port Operations; Marine Safety Office
1998 Savannah, Georgia:
Nov. 1991-July Marine Inspector; Marine Safety Office New Orleans;
1995
May 1991-Nov. Duty Under Instruction, Industry Training; Passenger
1991 Vessel Association, New Orleans Steamboat Company:
July 1989-May Marine Casualty Investigator; Marine Safety Office
1991 Mobile, AL:
July 1987-July Marine Inspector; Marine Safety Office Puget Sound,
1989 Seattle, WA:
July 1985-July Deck Watch Officer; USCGC POLAR STAR, Seattle, WA.
1987
9. Attach a copy of your resume.
My official Coast Guard biography is attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years. None.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years. None.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.) Include dates of membership and any positions you have
held with any organization. Please note whether any such club or
organization restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color,
religion, national origin, age, or disability. None.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt. None.
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $200 or more for the past ten years. None.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (5),
Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM), Meritorious Service Medal,
Commendation Medal (3)
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. Also list any
speeches that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
which you have been nominated. Do not attach copies of these
publications unless otherwise instructed.
Podcasts & Television Interviews
``Let's Talk Coast Guard,'' The IMC Podcast with Master Chief
Jason Vanderhaden, January 19, 2022, https://
oodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1me/id1567584082
``Coast Guard's first female four-star admiral reflects on her
journey and the service's mission,'' CBS This Morning,
television interview, August 2, 2021, https://www.cbsnews.com/
video/coast-guards-first-female-four-star-admiral-reflects-on-
her-joumey-and-the-services-mission/#x
``The Coldest War: Toward a Return to Great Power Competition
in the Arctic,'' Great Decisions, Foreign Policy Association,
television interview, March 19, 2021, https://
ww.fpa.orglgreat_decisions
``Global Maritime Security,'' Smart Women, Smart Power with Bev
Kirk, podcast audio, October 21, 2020, https://
www.csis.orglnode/58567
``Show 662,'' Frontlines of Freedom with Denny Gillum, podcast
audio, August 29, 2020, http://frontlinesoffreedom.com
ThinkArctic Podcast with Sinead Lykins, podcast audio, June 11,
2019, https://www.uberconference.com/thinkarctic
Publications
Service Above Self: ADM Linda Fagan '85, the first CGA alumna
to fill the role of Vice Commandant and first woman to make 4-
star in the Coast Guard, reflects on her career, time at the
Academy and current priorities. US Coast Guard Academy Alumni
Bulletin, September/October 2021.
Q&A with Pacific Area Commander, Navigator, The U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary Magazine, 2020.
Significant Social Media Videos
#Backstory: Episode 2 SPARs (Review on historical footage
featuring the USCG Women's Reserve from World War II), https://
fb.watch/b:frowOgbzs/ 2/17/22
#Backstory: Episode 1 Coast Guard Rescue (The first in a series
that examines the stories behind famous Coast Guard events.),
https:/ffb.watch/bfsm4OrWxS/ 10/14/21
Parental Leave Program (policy program that allows parents to
take extended parental leave), https://fb.watch/bfsYCctSeU 08/
26/21
We are stronger together (Message on diversity, equity and
inclusion) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/759391/we-stronger-
together 7/7/2020
The health, safety, and operational readiness of our crews and
their families is paramount during the ongoing pandemic https:/
/www.dvidshub.net/video/758222/health-safety-and-operational-
readiness-our-crews-and-their-families-paramount-during-
ongoing-pandemic 6/22/2020
Coast Guard Workforce Resilience (suicide prevention and
resilience) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/753253/coast-guard-
workforce-resilience 5/15/2020
Respect yourself and respect each other (Joint Pacific and
Atlantic Area message on sexual harassment and assault) https:/
/www.dvidshub.net/video/735480/respect-yourself-and-respect-
each-other. 1/17/2020
U.S. Coast Guard cutter departs for Western Pacific Ocean
(Indo-Pacific deployment during government shutdown) https://
www.dvidshub.net/video/655426/us-coast-guard-cutter-departs-
westem pacific-ocean. 1/20/2019
Speeches & Panels
``Actions Now for a Better Tomorrow,'' Women's Leadership
Initiative, Puerto Rico Chapter, panel, November 30, 2021.
``US Coast Guard Meeting,'' National Cargo Bureau Board of
Directors, remarks, October 6, 2021.
``September Special Topics Breakfast,'' Navy League of the
United States, keynote, September 21, 2021.
``IUU Fishing; a Strategic Overview,'' 2021 Jndo-Pacific
Maritime Security Exchange (IMSE) Conference, virtual keynote,
September 8, 2021.
``Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: The New
Piracy at Sea,'' Sea Air Space Convention, panel, August 4,
2021.
``Coast Guard Global Operations in the Indo Pacific,'' Center
for Naval Analysis Women Peace & Security Workshop. virtual
speech, December 2, 2020.
``Coast Guard Operations in the Arctic,'' UC Berkeley Master
Class, virtual speech, November 18, 2020.
``Maritime Safety and Security: The Admiral Perspective,''
American Geographical Society's Geography 2050: The Future of
the World Ocean, virtual panel, November 17, 2020.
``Coast Guard Pacific Area Surface Fleet Operations,'' Surface
Naval Association's Waterfront Symposium, virtual speech,
August 27, 2020.
``Leadership and Diversity in the Coast Guard,'' Coast Guard
Academy Women's Equality Day Celebration, virtual speech,
August 26, 2020.
``Journey to a Road Less Traveled,'' Women's leadership
Institute Stronger Together Leadership Summit, virtual speech,
August 14, 2020.
``Accessing Alaska's Arctic: Ports and Icebreakers,''
Commonwealth North Arctic Study Group, virtual panel, July 22,
2020.
``COVID-19 Impacts on Coast Guard Operations in the EPAC,''
Navy League's NatSec2020: Coronavirus and Beyond, virtual
panel, June 30, 2020
``COVID-19 Impacts in the Arctic,'' Naval War College Artie
Symposium, virtual panel, May 19, 2020.
``Reflections on Progress,'' Bay Area Women's Leadership
Symposium, virtual speech, May 18, 2020.
``Are We Ready to Fight and Win in Fully Contested Zones?,''
AFCEA Western Conference and Exposition, Panel, San Diego, CA,
March 2, 2020.
``Rising to the Challenge . . . Exercising Leadership in an
Increasingly Complex Arctic Geo-Strategic Environment.'' Alaska
Command Arctic Symposium, Speech, Fairbanks, AK, November 13,
2019.
``Arctic 2020 . . . Becorning the Great Game of the New
Millennium?'' Alaska. Command Arctic Symposium, Panel,
Fairbanks, AK, November 14, 2019.
``Marine Safety in the Maritime Transportation System,''
American Waterways Operators Fall Convention, speech, San
Diego, CA, October 17, 2019.
``Coast Guard Global Operations in the lndo Pacific,''
Strategic Discussion Group, virtual speech, October 14, 2020.
``Operational Way Ahead for Naval Forces in the Pacific,'' 47h
Annual National Naval Officers Association Symposium, panel,
San Diego, CA, August 8, 2019.
``Indo-Pacific Security Strategies,'' 2019 Navy League Sea Air
Space Symposium, panel, Washington DC, May 6, 2019.
``Sea Service Update-Vice Chiefs,'' 2019 Navy League Sea Air
Space Symposium, panel, Washington DC, May 7, 2019.
``Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook,'' 6th Annual Arctic
Encounter Symposium, speech, Seattle, WA, April 26, 2019.
``Security Innovations: Oceans & Air Space,'' 6th Annual Arctic
Encounter Symposium, panel, Seattle, WA, April 26, 2019.
``VIP Panel Dialogue: Arctic Cooperation in the North
Pacific,'' 6th Annual Arctic Encounter Symposium, panel,
Seattle, WA, April 26, 2019.
``Opening Remarks: Profiles in Courage,'' Bay Area Women's
Leadership Symposium, speech, Alameda, CA, March 20, 2019.
``Joint & Federal Arctic Maritime Forces,'' Alaska Command
Arctic Maritime Symposium, panel, Anchorage, AK, August 14,
2018.
18. List all digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
Personal Accounts
Facebook: Linda L Fagan (active)
Instagram: LLF85 (active)
LinkedIn: Linda Fagan (active)
Professional Accounts
Twitter: @VComdtUSCG
Facebook/Instagram: @ViceCommandantUSCG
19. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
07 July 2016 CGMT Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
07 March 2018 CGMT Implementing Coast Guard Programs
20. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the Coast Guard, what in your background or
employment experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for
appointment to the position for which you have been nominated, and why
do you wish to serve in that position?
My diverse background in operations across the breadth of our
missions, including a deep grounding in our regulatory and oversight
functions, uniquely qualifies me for Commandant. I have led from the
front line of operations, managed emergency responses at all levels of
our organization, negotiated standards at the international level, and
worked in-depth with our interagency partners, most notably the
Department of Defense, at the most senior levels. I have a deep respect
and understanding of the key role the U.S. Coast Guard plays in
ensuring our national economic prosperity and security. I am a
collaborative leader who is committed to transparent communications and
taking care of our people. I am honored to be offered the opportunity
to continue to serve the women and men of the U.S. Coast Guard and the
Nation.
21. What do yqu believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the Coast Guard has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
a) I remain fully committed to establishing transparent, efficient
financial accounting controls. If confirmed as the Commandant,
as the USCG Chief Financial Officer (CFO) I will work to
achieve our CFO Audit goals, while continuing to update our
organizational financial management systems. Appropriate
controls and procedures are a critical element of fiscal
responsibility and stewardship of Federal money. I commit to
continually improve and mature our organizational fiscal
stewardship.
b) As the Vice Commandant, I have served as the Chief Acquisition
Official, responsible for overseeing all acquisitions across
the USCG portfolio. I am fully engaged with the CFO and senior
leadership to ensure proper execution and development of the
USCG's approximately $11 billion budget. As an Area Commander
and District Commander, I led large teams and executed
fiduciary oversight of significant operating budgets. I accept
full responsibility for my own actions and hold my subordinates
accountable for their actions in ensuring compliance with all
accounting and oversight requirements. I am familiar with the
controls in place and am committed to full transparency of how
Federal dollars are used to operate the Coast Guard.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
Coast Guard, and why?
Work Force Readiness/Resiliency: The operational readiness of the
organization is increasingly stressed as the workforce reacts to the
on-going impacts from COVID-19, increased uncertainty, reliable access
to health care (particularly mental health), and increasing operational
demands. Coast Guard members are energized by the mission, but the
stress across numerous fronts is taking a toll. Ensuring pay and
entitlement parity with our fellow military service members is not
something we take for granted and must be maintained to preserve
readiness. In addition, we must increase our focus on recruiting and
retaining service members who reflect the diversity of the communities
we serve. Creating a culture of inclusion and respect is an all-hands/
everyday endeavor and requires leadership at every level in the
organization, Department, and Administration.
Capital Asset support and maintenance: New capital assets are game
changers across our maritime missions. Cutters, aircraft and boats
require access to adequate shore-side infrastructure and predictable
multi-year funding to ensure they are reliably maintained for
operational readiness. Aging and deteriorating shore-side
infrastructure along with increased maintenance cost for the new assets
has created a significant budget challenge. Our Enterprise Mission
Platfonn underpins all missions, but we cannot fully leverage
technology or data without continuing our Technology Revolution.
Increasing operational complexity and demand signal: We are in an
era of Coast Guard ascendancy. Coast Guard services are in high demand,
and the demand signal is growing. Peer competitors are leveraging their
Coast Guards with a globally deployed approach. International Coast
Guards need partnership, leadership, and capacity building. This
coupled with expanding high latitude operations, creates a significant
demand for engagement across the western Pacific. DOD
interoperabilityand OPLAN commitments creates both opportunity and
risk. Our commitment to homeland security is unwavering. The safety and
security of the marine transportation system, search and rescue, and
contingency response remain no fail missions. In order to balance this
increasing demand, we must remain nimble in our operational concepts
and leverage new technologies.
I am confident that the agency is poised to meet these challenges
and I am grateful for the enduring support of our overseers.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
Please see my nominee PFDR.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain. None.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
None, but should one arise I will obtain advice from a Coast Guard
ethics official and will follow that advice.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
None, but should one arise I will obtain advice from a Coast Guard
ethics official and will follow that advice.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
None, but should one arise I will obtain advice from a Coast Guard
ethics official and will follow that advice.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented; in which you have been engaged for the
purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or
modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and
execution of law or public policy. None.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to any court, administrative agency, an Inspector General,
the Office of Special Counsel, professional association, disciplinary
committee, or other professional group? If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain. None.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. None.
S. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discriminationon the basis of race, color, national
origin, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation,
and pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, marital status,
parental status, political affiliation, engagement in a protected Equal
Employment Opportunity/Equal Opportunity (EEO/EO) activity,
whistleblower activity, or any other basis? If so, please explain.
When I commanded the First Coast Guard District, a board
recommended a petty officer's separation with an honorable discharge
for assault and sexual harassment. I recommended a general discharge
and he filed a complaint in June 2016 alleging discrimination. While
the discrimination investigation proceeded, the Final Reviewing
Authority in Washington approved an honorable discharge and discharge
followed in September 2016. The complainant did not respond to the
investigator's request for testimony and he did not respond when the
agency sent him the investigation in December 2016 and asked whether he
desired a final agency decision. A final agency decision on April
26,2017 concluded that the investigative file did not demonstrate
discrimination by a preponderance of the evidence.
6. If you ever served as a general court-martial convening
authority involving sexual misconduct or assault, have you ever
disapproved the findings of a court-martial related to the offense(s)
or reduced the sentence adjudged by a court-martial, other than in
connection with a pre-trial agreement. No.
7. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination. None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your deparbnent/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that
your deparbnent/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistleblowers from reprisal for
their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
5. Do you agree, if confirmed, to keep this Committee, its
subcommittees, other appropriate Committees of Congress, and their
respective staffs apprised of new information that materially impacts
the accuracy of testimony, briefings, reports, records-including
documents and electronic communications, and other information you or
your organization previously provided?
Yes, in accordance with law and DHS policy and guidance.
6. Do you agree, if confirmed, and on request, to provide this
Committee and its subcommittees with records and other information
within their oversight jurisdiction, even absent a formal Committee
request?
Yes, in accordance with law and DHS policy and guidance.
7. Do you agree, if confirmed, to ensure that you and other members
of your organization protect from retaliation any military member,
Federal employee, or contractor employee who testifies before, or
communicates with this Committee, its subcommittees, and any other
appropriate committee of Congress? Yes.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
The Chairwoman. Admiral Fagan, did you want to introduce
your daughters?
Admiral Fagan. Sure. So behind me is Lieutenant Eileen
Fagan who's serving here in Washington, D.C. She's a Coast
Guard Academy graduate. And then my oldest daughter Moira, who
is working with the Pew Research Center here in D.C., as well,
and it's really exciting to have them both here with me.
Thank you.
The Chairwoman. Thank you. Welcome. I'm sure you're very
proud of your mom.
Admiral Fagan, one of the issues obviously that's brought
even more attention and focus since Russia's invasion of
Ukraine is the Arctic and the importance of being able to have
icebreakers to move through the Arctic.
The Arctic Security Cutter, the next class of medium
icebreakers, will be critically important to America's interest
in the Arctic Region.
What is the Coast Guard doing to speed up the acquisition
of the Arctic Security Cutter?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you, Chair. We're focused on the Polar
Security Cutter and are really excited about the opportunity to
build and operate the Polar Security Cutter for the nation, and
as we now, you know, are on budget and moving forward that
acquisition, we're working now to determine the requirements
and capabilities that are needed for an Arctic Security Cutter.
I share the same sense of urgency as the Committee that as
a nation we need that capacity and ships in the Arctic. We're
an Arctic nation and creating that presence is important as we
move forward.
The Chairwoman. Would you say we're under-resourced at the
moment?
Admiral Fagan. We are on a trajectory that gets us--you
know, the Polar Security Cutter--you know, the need is now and
we need to continue with a sense of urgency to build those
ships to ensure that we can protect our own national
sovereignty as it pertains to the Arctic.
The Chair. Well, I think compared to where the Russians are
and the interests that we've shown in this level of aggression,
I think you have to assume that there could be other
aggressions and clearly having claims to the Arctic as we do
and other countries do, I think we need to get these resources
in place.
Another resource issue, you know, the Columbia River Bar
has been referred to as ``The Graveyard of the Pacific,'' and
you've been out there. You know how dangerous those waters are.
I appreciate that you'd like to take me out on one of the
52-foot motor lifeboats. I'm not sure I'm ready to go. You'll
have to pick a very calm day on these heavy-duty vessels, but
p----
Senator Wicker. I want to put that in the form of a motion.
[Laughter.]
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Wicker.
But the Columbia River does support about $24 billion in
shipping activities. So getting this safety vessel, getting
more safety vessels, like the 52-foot motor lifeboats because
of their inability to operate now, is critical.
So what will you do to support the 52-foot motor lifeboat?
Admiral Fagan. So, Chair, thank you. The 52-foot motor
lifeboats were taken out of service because of overall safety
and reliability issues. They were no longer safe for our crews
to operate and did not meet safety requirements for the
mariners that we would use to save and tow.
I'm committed to replacing the 52s. We're working hard on
the requirements and identifying what asset we can, you know,
move to to replace the 52s. I share your sense of urgency to
mitigate the gap. When the 52s came out of service, we added
additional 47 assets, but understand that is not the final
solution and look forward to working with the Committee to
being in position to acquire and field replacements for the
52s.
The Chair. Thank you. And last, I heard you say that when
you recruit a Coastie but you retain a family. So I know that
you get that the Coast Guard needs to have these additional
issues to make sure that we are an inclusive and supportive
environment.
What are you going to do to work on childcare issues for
Coast Guard families?
Admiral Fagan. Childcare is a critical issue and need for
Coast Guard families. Having access to quality childcare is one
of the, you know, primary needs for many of our families.
I'm committed to working with the Committee to ensure that
Coast Guard members have access to childcare. We're excited
about some of the child development centers that are being
built and really excited about the subsidies that the Committee
has helped support. It allows a flexible ability for families
to meet those childcare needs and obviously, you know, health
care is also important for families as they serve our Nation.
The Chair. Since obviously you have a big footprint in
Seattle, are you committed to getting good facilities there for
the Seattle Coast Guard community?
Admiral Fagan. So we're excited about what's going on in
Seattle. We look forward to working with you to ensure that,
you know, childcare is a primary area of focus as we move to
home port the Polar Security Cutters there and look forward to
working with you on making sure that Coast Guard families have
access to the childcare that they need.
The Chair. Thank you.
Senator Wicker.
Senator Wicker. OK. Well, let's just make sure we
understand on the icebreakers.
Going forward, Admiral, are we going to have enough
icebreakers and what do we really need?
Admiral Fagan. So we're on record that as a nation we need
six icebreakers, at least three of which are heavy and we need
one now, and we are on that path forward.
I share the sense of urgency with regard to creating that
actual presence in the Arctic so that we can ensure our
national sovereignty and security. We are an Arctic nation and
it is important that we have ships to do that.
As I said, we're continuing to look at what an Arctic
Security Cutter and what requirements and capabilities it needs
but look forward to having that conversation with the
Committee.
Senator Wicker. Other members may come and go during this
hearing, depending on their schedules, and bring this up, also,
but you've heard the Chair of the Committee and the Ranking
Member begin with this. So I think we've made our position
clear that we view this as very important.
So let's talk about the sort of thing you and I saw in
Baltimore: facilities, piers, boat stations, housing units.
More than half of these facilities are beyond their service
life. We regularly see crumbling buildings and pier faces,
flooded-out structures.
What are the types of safety hazards, operational, and
personnel that we face with this $3 billion infrastructure and
maintenance backlog?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you. Obviously the backlog of
infrastructure in the Coast Guard is well known to the
Committee. I'm committed to working to reduce that backlog and
ensure that our Coast Guard members are not just operating from
operational infrastructure that is adequate and meets the needs
of the state of our Coast Guard but that also includes the
buildings and facilities that we're asking members to work from
and it is vital that we continue to make those investments to
ensure that Coast Guard members have safe, adequate access to
working facilities as they help operate our Coast Guard.
Every Coast Guard operation starts and ends from a shore
facility and we need to invest in those facilities.
Senator Wicker. Thank you. Clearly this Congress needs to
look in the mirror on items such as that.
Let's talk about diversity. Interesting that the Coast
Guard Academy is the most diverse of our service academies and
yet the enlisted ranks are the least diverse.
Do you have any idea why this is, and have you had a chance
to look through my USCG Act and the proposals, such as working
with the HBCUs or Junior ROTC to increase our and broaden our
outreach and diversity in the enlisted ranks?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you. Diversity is absolutely a primary
focus area. We are stronger as an organization with a diverse
workforce and I do not intend on shying away from focusing on
the recruiting that we need to do to ensure that we have that
diverse workforce.
We're excited about some of the JROTC programs that have
been stood up. There's just great opportunity there to help
improve diversity across the ranks.
We are looking to recruit from the same pool that the other
services are and recruiting is really a primary focus area and
done well, includes bringing the diversity into the
organization that we need then to retain and help grow into the
senior leadership ranks on both the officer and enlisted side.
Senator Wicker. You know, the recruiting challenges we have
in the services are much like the workforce challenges we have
in the private sector. It is certainly something that we
wrestle with, Madam Chair.
Let me say this about Junior ROTC. There's a Rand study
from several years ago extolling the effectiveness and virtues
of Junior ROTC and until I was made aware of this I didn't
realize that even in poorly performing secondary schools there
are a subset of students who excel, who make better grades, who
graduate at a higher rate and who go on to higher education and
that subset is Junior ROTC.
We can also utilize the services for compensation of former
members of the service, many of whom are former enlisted,
retired enlisted. It is a hugely successful program that we've
added to also in the National Defense Act each year for the
last several years and so I'm glad to know that you have paid
attention to that, that you are interested in that.
It is a program that works and is not quite receiving the
acclaim that it should.
So with that, I'll yield back, Madam Chair.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Wicker.
Senator Klobuchar.
STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much, Senator Cantwell,
Senator Wicker, for holding this important hearing, and I'm
very excited about your nomination, Admiral.
We spoke yesterday and we talked about the fact that my
state includes the Port of Duluth. I was just actually there,
as I mentioned, last week at the Duluth Coast Guard Station, at
the Port of Duluth with Lt. Commander Joel Wright, and we are
very excited about the new Cutter Spar which is, as you know,
named after the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve that was so
active in World War II and a big part of our world up there.
We've got more than 35 million tons of cargo moving through
the Port of Duluth each year. When it comes to the Great Lakes,
actually that port is the largest port by tonnage and one of
the Nation's top 20 ports. So we always find a way to be Number
1 and that is tonnage.
So in your testimony and in our discussions, you mentioned
your commitment to our Nation's icebreaking fleet and the work
in keeping the Great Lakes ports open and safe.
Do you have the necessary resources and could you talk
about the importance of these ice=cutters for transporting
goods to the rest of the world and bringing things in in the
Upper Midwest?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you, Senator. I am committed to
fielding the icebreaking capacity that we need as a nation,
particularly as it pertains to the Great Lakes and the inland
waterways system.
Our priority is an icebreaker that is at least as capable
as the current Mackinaw and we are working the requirements
document for that investment and look forward to working with
the Committee to ensure that we're on a timeline to, you know,
begin the acquisition on a cutter to ensure access to the
critical ports in the Great Lakes, particularly during the
challenging winter months.
That icebreaker is part of a system and again just look
forward to having that conversation with the Committee and
we're committed as a priority to a heavy icebreaker in the
Great Lakes.
Senator Klobuchar. OK. Just with the supply chain issues,
Senator Thune and I just passed a bill out of the Senate on
this. I'm not going to focus on that right now, but what are
some of your big challenges the Coast Guard's facing when
trying to manage shipping vessels?
There's been congestion, as we know, at some of the ports
and what more should Congress be doing?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you. We're all familiar with
particularly the congestion that was experienced along some of
the ports on the West Coast, and the Coast Guard, you know, in
our roles as captain of the port to ensure that the safety and
security of our waterways has been working with the port
community to reduce that congestion by, you know, getting
earlier notice of ships departures so that time can be adjusted
and they arrive then just in time for their berth and not
needing to queue for extended periods of time.
We've got a great set of authorities and great set of port
partners around the country and are committed to ensuring the
reliable safety operation of our maritime transportation
system.
Senator Klobuchar. As part of our turning to the
international broader efforts to help the country of Ukraine
defend their democracy against an unprovoked attack by Russia,
the President recently banned Russian-flagged ships from coming
to U.S. ports.
Can you talk about how under your leadership the Coast
Guard will enforce this mandate?
Admiral Fagan. We are actively engaged and monitoring that
mandate. We're working with the interagency. We're aware of the
ban on Russian-flagged vessels and should one attempt to enter,
we would use our authorities, captain of the port authorities
to deny entry to Russian vessels.
I'm confident that the system is in place to ensure we are
able to not allow Russian-flagged ships to enter the U.S. and
enjoy a great interagency partnership on that.
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you. Yesterday we talked about--
one last question here on Canada. I co-chair with Senator Crapo
the U.S.-Canada Interparliamentarian Group, worked a lot on
Canada, care a lot about it. In Minnesota we can see Canada
from our porch.
Could you talk about the efforts of the Coast Guard to
coordinate with our friendly neighbor to the north?
Admiral Fagan. We enjoy an incredible relationship with our
Canadian counterparts, whether it's Canadian Coast Guard,
Transport Canada, or other Canadian officials. We've got a
great partnership, you know, in the Great Lakes as it pertains
to the St. Lawrence Seaway in the Pacific Northwest. We could
not have better partners with Canada and we, the Coast Guard,
look for every opportunity to strengthen that partnership and
work alongside our Canadian counterparts.
Senator Klobuchar. All right. Well, thank you very much,
Admiral, and I look forward to supporting you. Thank you.
The Chair. Senator Blumenthal.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you for your service and let me begin with the
easiest part of my questions which relates to the Coast Guard
Museum. I know the Coast Guard is committed to it. We have made
it a priority among the Connecticut Delegation. We think that
the Coast Guard Museum is long overdue. It's the only service
that lacks one, and it is essential as a tribute well deserved
to the Coast Guard but also to tell the Coast Guard's story in
recruiting and it is important to diversity, inclusion, and to
the state of Connecticut.
So perhaps, first, do you agree that building the museum
has to be a priority?
Admiral Fagan. We're excited about the opportunity to build
the Coast Guard Museum and seeing it come into life there in
New London. It is a priority for the organization. We
appreciate the budget support to help the last service to get a
museum.
Senator Blumenthal. And will you continue to advocate and
invest in it?
Admiral Fagan. We absolutely--I am committed to the museum
as a priority. I'll continue to advocate and invest and we look
forward to being able to tell the Coast Guard story to a
broader audience through the museum.
Senator Blumenthal. We're happy that the 2022 budget has
$50 million for building the National Coast Guard Museum in New
London, but we have to continue that momentum, particularly
raising funds privately.
Can you suggest some additional next steps that we should
take to keep that momentum going?
Admiral Fagan. We appreciate the support of the Committee.
We'll continue to work with you as we, you know, look at what
investments and financial support need to happen next.
We internal to the service are focused on, you know, our
piece which is helping build out the actual story and what
we're going to showcase and highlight and look forward to the
partnership and team effort as we move forward to realizing the
museum.
Senator Blumenthal. Let me turn to the Coast Guard Academy.
I know that Senator Wicker touched on it somewhat.
What steps are you prepared to take to increase the
diversity of the entering class this year and next year in the
immediate future? As you know, the Coast Guard still is
predominantly male. The percentage of black cadets I think is
about 5 percent.
You would agree that it is very much a work in progress.
What specific steps can you commit to do?
Admiral Fagan. So we've made great strides at the Coast
Guard Academy with regard to the diversity of the entering
class. You know, the classes are coming in actually close to
40+ percent women. We've increased the numbers of African
Americans and underrepresented minorities entering the class.
I do not intend on wavering from the commitment we have
made to diversity at the Academy and will continue to focus on,
you know, bringing the best talent possible into the
organization as it pertains to the entering class at the Coast
Guard Academy.
Senator Blumenthal. Do you have a goal? Right now I
understand the Academy's 62 percent men, 38 percent women. Do
you have a goal, 50/50?
Admiral Fagan. My goal is the best talent we can recruit.
It's what make us great as a service and an organization and
we'll continue to focus on making sure that talent to the best
extent possible reflects the diversity that we carry in society
and committed again to the best talent to bring into the
service.
Senator Blumenthal. I'm told, I think it's in the Improving
Gender Diversity in the Coast Guard Study by Rand in 2019, that
women are exiting the service at a rate 12 to 13 percent faster
than men at the 10-year mark of their careers. There's some
obvious explanations relating to raising a family and childcare
and housing and two careers in the Coast Guard.
What can be done to retain more of the women talent, and I
agree with you we want talent and dedication in the Coast
Guard, but what can be done in that area?
Admiral Fagan. So the women's retention study does tell us
that we lose women at an increased percentage, particularly at
the mid-grade point. We have been focused on that.
Currently, under Admiral Schultz's leadership, I intend on
continuing to focus on it and looking at what policies, whether
it's assignment policies or other personnel policies, that we
can adjust to be more responsive as not just women but men, as
well, particularly at mid-career points, have family
challenges, and do not intend on backing away from the journey
that we've been on there.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Thanks very much, Madam
Chair.
The Chair. Thank you.
I see Senator Blackburn. Are you ready to ask a question?
STATEMENT OF HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE
Senator Blackburn. Yes, Madam Chairman, I am.
Admiral Fagan, thank you so much for your time yesterday
and then also for today.
I want to kind of pick up where we left off yesterday and
talk a little bit about the multilateral facilities, the
organizational structures, these partnerships we have with
other nations, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and I think the
future fusion centers are really important, especially when
we're talking about the Counterterrorism Information Facility
there in Singapore and the Oceana Fusion Facility and the Indo-
Pacific Maritime Coordination Center.
So talk to me a little bit about the Coast Guard's role.
How do you see that role expanding and if you don't have a
specific role, how are you going to develop something in your
longer-term strategy?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you, Senator. The Coast Guard does
quite a bit of work both multi-nationally and bilaterally
across, you know, a number of key partners internationally and
obviously the INDOPACOM is a key area of focus for many of the
issues we chase, you know, we are involved with as it pertains
to homeland security requires a strong partnership and
bilateral approach.
We engage with particularly partner Coast Guards and in
some cases Navys not just only throughout the INDOPACOM but
also Europe and Africa. We are stronger together and having
great strong partnerships really helps ensure our own national
security.
Senator Blackburn. Excellent. And then when you look at
workforce and you mentioned a bit earlier diversification in
the workforce, and I want you to touch on your plans to create
geographic flexibility for workers while you're trying to do
the staffing allocations, especially as you rely more on
technology.
Admiral Fagan. So my priority is absolutely recruiting, so
ensure we bring members in in the numbers that we need, but
then, it's not even a second, equally as important is retaining
that workforce and we're in the process of looking at policies
and processes that we have in place as it pertains to our
talent management system and need to look to create opportunity
for those who want to serve to serve and that will by its
general nature require us to look at ways to improve
flexibility and stability for our workforce.
Senator Blackburn. And I appreciate that Senator Wicker
mentioned to you the facilities and I can't let it go without
saying we are thrilled with the new facility there in Memphis
and we're pleased to receive that attention to that facility.
I think that goes a long way in helping with that
workforce, the geographic flexibility, the opportunity for a
more diverse workforce to be able to serve. So we thank you for
that.
Admiral Fagan. Thank you.
Senator Blackburn. Let me ask you this. Would you agree
that it's important for the Coast Guard to work closely with
USACE, USACE when there are permitting issues that would
negatively impact safe navigation on our waterways?
Admiral Fagan. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers enjoys a long and strong partnership and
relationship and we remain committed to working with the Army
Corps of Engineers on waterways issues.
That partnership is strong and together we ensure the safe,
reliable transportation of commerce and have no intention of
walking away from that great long relationship.
Senator Blackburn. And I would imagine that you would agree
with me that it is the Coast Guard that has the expertise when
it comes to assessing those safe navigation corridors for
vessels?
Admiral Fagan. The Coast Guard is committed to our role in
ensuring, you know, safe navigation corridors. There's
obviously a lot of complexity to that, but we play a key role
and will continue in that role.
Senator Blackburn. And I think that if the Coast Guard
identified a potential vessel navigation safety issue with a
USACE permit application and then made a navigation safety-
related recommendation to them, would it be fair to say it
would be your expectation that they would follow that
recommendation?
Admiral Fagan. So we have a process with the Corps of
Engineers. I'm not familiar with the specifics of, you know,
particular permits, but we are engaged in the process. We'll
continue to follow that process and we take our role of
ensuring safe navigation--really it's a priority for us and we
will continue to engage with the Army Corps of Engineers and to
ensure that those permits are issued in a manner that's safe
and responsible.
Senator Blackburn. And we appreciate that you take that
leadership role with the Corps of Engineers and that you focus
on that navigation safety.
Thank you so much.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Blackburn.
Senator Hickenlooper.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HICKENLOOPER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM COLORADO
Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you, Madam Chair, and, Admiral,
thank you so much for your service, for being here today. It's
really impressive.
Due to the drastic warming of our planet, natural disasters
have been intensified and become more frequent. The Arctic is
now warming at roughly double the rate as the rest of the world
and the sea ice is declining to historic lows.
Can you discuss a little about the impact of climate
change, particularly in the Arctic Region, and how that affects
the Coast Guard's operations and responsibilities?
Admiral Fagan. The warming climate has increased the amount
of water that, you know, is available and amount of time it's
available in the Arctic. The need for icebreakers to protect
our national sovereignty is critical.
What we're seeing in the Arctic is an increased pattern of
use, whether it's cruise ships or other vessels, and their
ability to access those waterways, and we're committed to our
role in ensuring the safety and security and protecting the
environment in the Arctic as we do in the rest of the United
States.
Senator Hickenlooper. Yes. I couldn't agree more. The
Government Accountability Office has identified a majority of
the U.S. Coast Guard infrastructure as beyond its serviceable
lifespan, which is obviously a threat, and when you add that
with the compounding threat of climate change, it underscores
the need for building in resiliency wherever we can.
So if you're confirmed, how would you ensure that the Coast
Guard incorporates climate change in their assessments and
their programs, their policies, operational decisions, et
cetera?
Admiral Fagan. You've correctly identified the
infrastructure backlog that the service currently has. I'm
committed to working with the Committee to reduce that backlog
and as we are able to make investments in new infrastructure,
resiliency particularly in mind toward the impact of changing
climate are a big part of how we make those investments.
Senator Hickenlooper. Great. I appreciate that. I think
that's going to take a lot of work to figure out how to do that
efficiently.
I also have a particular interest obviously in this
committee overseas, space and science, the subcommittee does,
which I chair, and obviously we have increased launches and as
we know going up, what goes up does eventually come down, and
during launches but also in re-entries, the Coast Guard plays a
key role to keep our coastal waters clear of marine traffic
through what they call limited access safety zones.
You're also a key component of the search and rescue, not
to mention law enforcement duties in regard to these issues.
So, Admiral, as space launches increase in frequency, do
you feel that the Coast Guard is sufficiently equipped with the
expertise and resources to maintain safety in this regard?
Admiral Fagan. So we remain committed to our role in
ensuring that the safety and security of the waterways in and
around, you know, the United States and, you know, we continue
to work with the space launch communities to ensure that that
occurs and look forward to working that issue in the future.
Senator Hickenlooper. Great. You're so concise. I have to
say this is one of the first witnesses where I think I'll get
in four questions.
Finally, let me just say that we recently passed the Ocean
Shipping Reform Act, I'm sure you followed that, you know, to
push back against foreign shipping abuses targeting American
exporters. Many of our small businesses are victims of that.
In addition to the Federal Maritime Commission's work at
the ports, U.S. Coast Guard monitors cargo traffic near our
coasts and waterways.
So, if confirmed, could you describe how you'd go about
continuing and maybe even expanding the Coast Guard's
partnership with the Federal Maritime Commission?
Admiral Fagan. So again, you know, the Coast Guard role in
the safety of shipping and the commerce and flows of cargo come
and go in the United States. We have a very specific role and
authorities, but we continue to work with partners in that
realm.
I remain committed to ensuring that we enjoy the economic
prosperity that we do as a country as it pertains to maritime
commerce that's entering and exiting the country.
Senator Hickenlooper. Great. Terrific. I yield back 9
seconds to the Chair.
The Chair. Thank you.
Senator Sullivan.
STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Admiral, good to see you the other day. I really enjoyed
our discussion. Congratulations. I'm a big supporter of yours
and I think it's historic in many ways, a great career. This is
going to be important for a lot of people.
I have three daughters. I think it's great to see that, you
know, we have the first female member of the Joint Chiefs. I
think it's great. So congrats.
So obviously you're seeing the bipartisan support here in
this committee on the issue of icebreakers. You haven't really
talked yet about the gap. I mean, we obviously have a gap with
the issue of the HEALY. We're finally building them both here
and in the NDAA.
I worked with the Chairman but also worked with my
colleagues on the Armed Services Committee about getting six
authorized Coast Guard announced that, you know, the new ones
that are being built will replace the current ones that are
home-based in Seattle which makes sense, but to me
strategically as we look for a bigger fleet than just two or
three because we need a heck of a bigger fleet in my view,
Russia has 54, we have two, one is broken, in terms of
icebreakers, I also think it makes sense when we're looking
operationally strategically to have some of our icebreakers
actually based where the ice is, right, in the Arctic. We're an
Arctic nation because of my state, the great state of Alaska.
So can you talk to me about some of the issues we talked
about but particularly this gap, what we're looking at doing? I
saw the President put forward, you know, essentially a gap-
filler to purchase a commercially available icebreaker to help
on that gap as we're building them, but also the importance,
and then this issue of a study.
We've been working with you guys for about 5 years now on a
study with regard to what areas in Alaska can handle
icebreakers and need to finish that soon as we discussed, but
can you talk to me about any and all those issues? You've seen
a real bipartisan focus which is good in this committee and, by
the way, the Armed Services Committee, as well, on icebreakers
and the need. We clearly need them.
Admiral Fagan. We are an Arctic nation and increased
icebreaker capacity is critical and vital to our national
interests and if we receive the appropriation and the
acquisition relief we are looking forward to fielding a
commercially available icebreaker, and I agree and commit that,
you know, identifying a home port will be important for that
icebreaker and it's logical that that ship should be near the
operating area where it is needed.
With regard to the home port study, I am committed to
completing the home port study and ensuring that with the
Committee as we look at opportunities for home porting a
commercially available icebreaker.
Senator Sullivan. When are you--I'd like kind of a sense of
a timeline----
Admiral Fagan. I can----
Senator Sullivan.--on that, Admiral. As you and I
discussed, it has been a bit of a frustration. I think I have
legitimate frustrations. It's an issue I've been talking to the
Coast Guard for about 5 years now and the President put out a
memo on this. President Trump, you know, writ large, kind of,
hey, we need this broader strategy. Let's look at these
studies. I think that's pretty good direction when you get it
from the Commander in Chief.
So can you give me a timeline on that? I know that you are
already working on it.
Admiral Fagan. We are working on it. A lot of work has been
done. After our discussions, I went back and have been working
with the team. My goal is to have that team no later than this
fall.
Senator Sullivan. OK. That's still--we can talk about it
further. I think that's still--that's a long time and this is a
really urgent issue.
Let me go to the other topic we talked about was the issue
of shipbuilding capacity, ship maintenance capacity really
throughout the whole country. We just came from Armed Services
hearing and the need for industrial-based diversification is
important.
As you know, there's a capacity in Alaska that we've talked
about on ship maintenance and repair that actually would save
the Coast Guard a lot of money.
Can I get your commitment to continue to work with me on
that? We've passed language now in two different Coast Guard
authorization acts that was given to us by the Coast Guard to
fix an issue in Alaska and I want to get your commitment to
work with me on that.
Admiral Fagan. Yes. I am absolutely committed to continue
to work with you on that issue, that the shipbuilding base is
fundamental to our national security.
Senator Sullivan. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair and
Admiral. Again, congratulations.
The Chair. Unless I see Senator Peters or Senator Tester on
our side who are going to join us remotely, which I don't, so I
think we'll go to Senator Fischer.
Thank you, Senator Fischer.
STATEMENT OF HON. DEB FISCHER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA
Senator Fischer. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Thank you,
Admiral, for being here today, and congratulations on your
nomination.
There have been a number of cases concerning unwanted
sexual contact at the Coast Guard Academy. An anonymous 2018
Gender Relations Survey completed by cadets showed that 45
percent of women and 17 percent of men said they experienced
sexual harassment.
Can you walk me through the protocols that are in place for
a victim of sexual assault?
Admiral Fagan. So I am committed to eradicating sexual
assault from the service. It erodes readiness, it's a crime,
and it does not have any place in the Coast Guard. It's
inconsistent with our core values.
We have done quite a bit over the last several years to
ensure when someone experiences sexual assault that they have
confidence in the reporting system, that is has taken seriously
and investigated, and, where founded, appropriate, you know,
disciplinary action is taken.
I have confidence in that system. I'm committed to it and
again any sexual assault is one assault too many, whether it's
in the service or at the Coast Guard Academy. It's not
consistent with our core values.
Senator Fischer. With your protocols for victims, do you
provide counseling? What kind of services do you offer?
Admiral Fagan. We assign a victim advocate to victims to
ensure that they're able to get all of the health care and
support that they need in the aftermath of an assault, and
we've made investments in that and are ensuring again that
survivors have all the support that they need should they
unfortunately experience an assault.
Senator Fischer. And what protocols do you follow for the
assailants?
Admiral Fagan. Again, when reported, we use our Coast Guard
Investigative Services to thoroughly investigate those reports.
Every report is taken seriously and followed through and then
we are, you know, aligning with the provisions across the
military to ensure that the military justice piece of that is
also followed through.
Senator Fischer. OK. Thank you. Recent news reports note
low recruitment numbers for the Coast Guard due in part to
school closures and mitigation efforts during the pandemic.
The Coast Guard Recruiting Command has set a target for
4,200 new recruits this year. What actions is the Coast Guard
undertaking to boost that recruitment numbers and how are you
going to improve the recruiting strategy not only to recruit
but also to retain?
Admiral Fagan. Yes. Our recruiting challenge is not unique
to the Coast Guard. All of the military services are recruiting
from a shrinking pool of eligible people, people who, you know,
have met the requirements for service and have a propensity to
serve.
Recruiting is absolutely a priority area now and will be,
if I'm confirmed as Commandant. We are beginning to move
resources around to ensure that we are recruiting in a way that
will allow us to continue to operate the Coast Guard and it's
really Job 1 for all of us to ensure we're bringing that talent
into the service.
Senator Fischer. Admiral, we've also heard much discussion
concerning the ongoing supply chain challenges, especially at
our Nation's ports.
How do you view the Coast Guard's role in ensuring our
supply chains are operating effectively and how do you view
your part in working with partners in the maritime community to
improve those supply chain issues that we're facing?
Admiral Fagan. The Coast Guard is a key component of the
maritime transportation system, particularly as it pertains to
ports and potential, you know, port congestion.
Our captains of the ports regularly bring together all of
the components of the large complex port system to ensure that
we have safe, reliable maritime transportation and commerce.
I'm committed to continuing those relationships and meeting
whatever the next challenges are as it pertains to the supply
chain.
Senator Fischer. Thank you very much, ma'am. Thank you,
Madam Chair.
The Chair. Thank you. Senator Young, if you're ready.
STATEMENT OF HON. TODD YOUNG,
U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA
Senator Young. Admiral Fagan, congratulations on your
nomination. I know from our conversation earlier this year,
you're a dedicated public servant and look forward to
supporting your nomination. I think you'll do quite well in
this position.
There's obviously a difference of opinion between Congress,
the Coast Guard, and industry about how to best tackle the
challenge of maximizing transit on the Great Lakes during the
winter months, but I'm confident that this year we'll be able
to make progress in the legislation that Senator Baldwin and I
have introduced on this issue.
I value your insight into ensuring the effectiveness of
that legislation.
If confirmed, do you commit to making the design,
selection, and construction of a new Great Lakes icebreaker a
priority, given years of congressional support for this need?
Admiral Fagan. Senator, I am committed as a priority to
fielding the heavy icebreaker capacity that the Great Lakes
need to supplement the current Great Lakes capacity up there.
It is a priority. We are working as an organization to
identify the requirements and look forward to working with you
and the Committee to ensure that we're able to move forward on
that acquisition.
Senator Young. Thank you, Admiral. Do you also commit to
working with this committee and stakeholders to improve and
make more readily available data on navigation during the
icebreaking season?
Admiral Fagan. To the extent we've got that information, we
all need a reliable access to that transportation system. I
understand the dynamics and challenges as it pertains to the
winter months in the Great Lakes and will share whatever data
we've got available.
Senator Young. OK. Thank you. Can you speak, Admiral, to
how repealing the current prohibition on a common design for
both the GLIB and the POLAR Icebreaker will speed up the
process for increasing icebreaking capacity in the Great Lakes
while providing more value to the taxpayer?
Admiral Fagan. Yes. So the Great Lakes is a system and it
requires icebreakers. I am committed to, as a priority,
fielding a heavy icebreaker that's at least as capable as the
current Mackinaw. That is our first priority.
There will be other opportunity for additional ice-breaking
capacity as it pertains to that system that enables safe
commerce throughout the Great Lakes.
Senator Young. Thank you, Admiral. I'm going to move on to
the Indo-Pacific. When we last spoke, I found your insight as
the previous Commander of the Coast Guard Pacific invaluable.
As you know, I believe we must use all the resources at our
disposal to push back on China's course of Malign activities,
including in the maritime domain. I believe it's inevitable
that your service will have more work on its hands in the Indo-
Pacific.
From your own experience, can you speak to how the Coast
Guard's Title X authorities were incorporated into the mission
and responsibilities of the Indo-Pacific Command?
Admiral Fagan. So during my time as Pacific Area Commander,
we always had a number of national security deployments into
the Indo-Pacific Region under the operational control of the
Pacific Fleet and Indo-PACOM Commander.
Those Coast Guard assets were doing Coast Guard work in
partnership with partners throughout the region. We are really
in our sort of the sweet space as a Coast Guard when we're in
that competitive space working with like-minded partners in the
region to counter China and other national actors and national
threats.
Senator Young. Thank you, Admiral. Last, if Congress and
the President require the Coast Guard to increase its presence
of both personnel and assets in the Indo-Pacific, as
Commandant, would you seek to reallocate resources to the
Pacific from other areas or would you feel the need to come to
Congress to seek increased funding and a higher end strength?
Admiral Fagan. We make those resource allocation decisions
as a service now. As we look at the threats coming from the
Pacific, we continue to, you know, look at how we can posture
the Coast Guard to counter those threats.
I've focused on the large ship deployments. We have a lot
that goes on short of the ships where we have sent training
teams into regions and ports. At this point if, you know,
there's congressional support for additional activity, we will
look to do that.
The Coast Guard, with the assets and resources we have now,
continue to be postured against, you know, threats from the
Indo-Pacific and look forward to working with you as we ensure
that we're countering that appropriately as a Coast Guard.
Senator Young. So reallocation of resources and higher end
strength and more resources?
Admiral Fagan. Yes. At this point, we have the resources we
need to counter the demand signal for our services in Indo-
PACOM, and should that change we'll work with Congress on what
that might need to look like.
Senator Young. I understand you don't want to commit to a
particular path.
Thank you so much, Admiral.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Young.
Senator Peters.
STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN
Senator Peters. Well, thank you, Madam Chair. Admiral,
congratulations on your nomination, and thank you for your
years of service to the Coast Guard.
I would first like to discuss with you a longstanding
priority of mine and that's the U.S. Coast Guard's Great Lakes
Center of Expertise for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response
which was going to be co-located at Lake Superior State
University and NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research
Laboratory.
Back in 2017 the then-Commandant of the Coast Guard
informed me after some questions that I had related to another
oil disaster that the agency or the Coast Guard was not really
prepared for a major oil spill in the Great Lakes, saying that
more science and research was needed to clean up in freshwater,
which is a whole lot different than cleaning up in saltwater,
and in response to this conversation, I led the legislation to
establish the center signed into law in 2018.
It has now received funding after a lot of effort to
establish it and I have also confirmed that the center was
programmed into the Coast Guard's base budget for Fiscal Year
2022 based on previous year's spending levels, meaning $3.4
million will be expended to operate this critical center.
The Great Lakes, as a Michigander, I can say, are not just
an economic engine and an ecological treasure. They're really
part of our DNA, something that we're very passionate about,
and we know that an oil spill in the Great Lakes would be
absolutely catastrophic for Michigan, for the country, and a
body of a water that provides drinking water for 40 million
people.
So we need to do everything we can to protect them, prevent
a disaster, including how to effectively respond to a potential
spill, particularly when we have pipelines traversing the Lakes
that present a risk.
The center's going to play a vital role in doing that and
Lake Superior State University in Sioux Ste. Marie will serve
as the formal hub and a home to a supervising lieutenant
commander and certainly I believe it's an ideal location that's
in close proximity to oil transportation, infrastructure,
pipelines, navigational locks. The Great Lakes Environmental
Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor also brings incredible
resources.
So bottom line, I look forward to working with you, with
Lake Superior State University, and the Great Lakes Research
Institute in Ann Arbor.
My question for you, Admiral, is could you provide me an
update on when you believe there will be a formal opening of
the center?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you, Senator. I'm absolutely committed
to that Great Lakes Center of Expertise. There's plenty of work
and opportunity there. I'll need to get back with you on when a
date for a formal opening may be. I don't have that.
Senator Peters. Well, I appreciate that. I know there has
been some ongoing work. We just want to kind of get that
formalized and so would appreciate to having you get back to me
on that.
If you could also address then your kind of view as to why
it's important for the center to operate and how important it
is for us and for the working closely with the Coast Guard to
protect all freshwater ecosystems and oil preparedness and
response, of course, is vital in there. How do you approach
that mission?
Admiral Fagan. Yes. Obviously, I mean, you've stated the
impact and, you know, how important the Great Lakes is and the
ecosystem is, and the Great Lakes Center of Expertise will help
us understand that and protect it and again this is in our
role, the Coast Guard role in ensuring the safety, security,
and environmental protection of our waterways and really,
really look forward to the opportunity that the Center of
Expertise provides for us.
Senator Peters. Right, right. I'd also like to bring to you
an issue that is a priority for me and for folks living in the
Upper Peninsula where the Lake Superior State University is,
but many folks up there are Federal employees working for the
Coast Guard. They work for the Soo Locks and elsewhere and they
lack federally-owned and operated childcare facilities.
My staff has been told that one reason why there aren't any
of these childcare facilities in the UP is because it's not
financially prudent for the Coast Guard to own and operate one
in the area, but failing to do so makes the jobs of these
Guardsmen and women clearly more difficult, on top of their
roles patrolling the area that's home to an international
border and significant cargo that goes through the Soo Locks.
So my question for you, Admiral, is, if confirmed, would
you commit to help us seek options to expand childcare access
for families that are serving in the UP, including perhaps a
pilot program or a public/private partnership with childcare
providers in the area that could help not only Coast Guard
personnel but other Federal folks who are up there who are
really finding it very difficult to access this essential
service?
Admiral Fagan. I am committed to improving access to
childcare for our Coast Guard members and look forward to
working with you on what might those solutions be in your
region.
Senator Peters. Great. Well, I appreciate it. Thank you
very much, Admiral.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Peters.
Senator Scott.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICK SCOTT,
U.S. SENATOR FROM FLORIDA
Senator Scott. Thank you, Chair Cantwell.
Admiral, congratulations on your nomination as the next
Coast Guard Commandant, and thank you for your 36 years of
dedicated service to this country.
I've been up here a little over three years and I've been
blessed with two Coasties. My first one, Chelsea, this weekend,
she's got a ship down in Key West, and Sasha. They're doing a
great job. So thank you for the individuals you've led to my
office to make sure we do our job better.
So I'm a huge supporter of the 56,000 Active Duty Reserve,
and civilian men and women that comprise the Coast Guard and
what they do on a daily basis, especially with the 25,000
volunteers you have. You have a big presence in Florida.
My understanding is every Coastie wants to be stationed in
Florida, but I'm sure there are other states like Washington
they like, also.
So thank you. I want to thank you for what you're doing.
Can you just talk about the vision for the Coast Guard,
your vision for the Coast Guard over the next 4 years, any
unique challenges you anticipate?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you, Senator. Obviously we have work
to do. We're on a great path as a Coast Guard right now and
really appreciate the continuing support of the Committee for
the support we receive.
I believe the most critical issue facing us as a service
moving forward is around workforce and how we recruit and
retain members into the service, both enlisted and officer.
We are not the only service that is facing this as a
challenge. I'm committed to, you know, getting after the
recruiting and then looking at our talent management system as
it pertains to retaining and training the workforce that we
have and really look forward to moving that forward in my
tenure, if I'm confirmed.
Senator Scott. The Coast Guard does an unbelievable job
after hurricanes and, you know, we had four major hurricanes
when I was Governor and the Coast Guard was instrumental in
making sure we got our ports back open and our hurricane
response was done properly. So thanks for that.
How do you see the Coast Guard's role in your response to
combating the threats posed by Communist China?
Admiral Fagan. So my job as the Pacific Area Commander, we
deployed, you know, ships over into Indo-Pacific Region,
Western Pacific, and the Coast Guard's, you know, committed to
a free and open Indo-PACOM.
We represent the Rule of Law and good governance and just
in our professionalism and then engagement with like-minded
partners and countries. We represent a value, you know,
basically proposition that counters some of China's Malign
Influence.
Senator Scott. I'm a business person by background and
we're expected to create efficiencies every year. Do you feel
like there are efficiencies that you're going to be able to
find in the Coast Guard so we can do more with less?
Admiral Fagan. So I'm committed to fielding an
operationally relevant and ready force and will continue to
focus on readiness and our ability to execute operationally and
do not intend on, you know, having a hollow force as we look to
meet the expectations of the American public that we serve.
Senator Scott. So the Coast Guard's very committed to our
border. I have a bipartisan piece of legislation to extend the
Custom waters of the United States out to 24 nautical miles,
giving the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection
increased control to enforce our drug interdiction and
immigration laws. What do you think about that?
Admiral Fagan. We have a great relationship with our
Customs and Border Patrol, our counterparts within DHS, and
look forward to working with you on that language.
Senator Scott. All right. Well, congratulations. You're
going to do a great job.
Admiral Fagan. Thank you.
The Chair. Thank you. We've been joined by the Subcommittee
Chair Senator Baldwin. Thank you for your leadership at the
subcommittee level.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN
Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
I want to actually take a moment to consider the
significance of this nomination. What an honor it is to be a
part of your historic nomination to serve not only as the 27th
Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the first woman to serve
as the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard but also the first
woman to ever serve as a service chief of a branch of the U.S.
military.
I commend you on your strength, your courage, your hard
work. You've earned this momentous role, and you're also going
to be someone who sets a great example for young people and
young girls and young women around the country and around the
world to look up to.
So I didn't want this moment to pass without that
acknowledgement.
Now the icebreaker, I know I'm not the first to ask you
about this, but over the last 7 years we've seen the
consequences of inadequate icebreaking on the Great Lakes. It's
cost our economy roughly $2 billion and more than 10,000 jobs
that are related to Great Lakes commerce.
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I've also
worked with my colleagues to secure pre-acquisition funding for
6 years in a row and we have twice authorized the procurement
of the ship within this committee's Coast Guard bill and in the
Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill we funded a Great Lakes
Icebreaker Program Office.
The Senate voted 85 to 13 in support of fully funding the
icebreaker and last year Admiral Schultz confirmed support for
funding during testimony before this committee. This is my top
priority as Chair of the subcommittee that oversees the Coast
Guard. We really need this ship and we need it as soon as
possible.
So I know you've been asked previously at this hearing
about support for the Mackinaw-equivalent Great Lakes
icebreaker. I would ask if you support fully funding and
getting acquisition funding in the 2023 Fiscal Year?
Admiral Fagan. So I share your sense of urgency with the
need for a heavy icebreaker, you know, at least as capable as
Mackinaw in the Great Lakes. I'm absolutely committed to
getting to the point where we field that icebreaker.
We did establish a program office in 2020. We have 15
people who are working preliminary design. I'm excited about
the progress we're making and I'm committed to the heavy
icebreaker as that top priority and then look forward to
working with you as the next budgets are developed to bring a
heavy icebreaker into reality.
Senator Baldwin. Yes. And I would just note that I do have
concerns about the discussion of the common hull and will
express those in follow-up.
I wanted to turn to the area of housing for Coast Guard
employees, especially in rural areas. I was pleased when you
were able to join me in visiting the station at Sturgeon Bay
and we had an informal discussion with Coasties who were there
and one of the challenges that they expressed was the lack of
housing, affordable housing.
The current calculation for the basic allowance for housing
is not working. It doesn't account for differences in housing
markets near large DoD installations versus smaller rural Coast
Guard communities, and the system does not account for the
popularity of short-term vacation rentals in beautiful
communities, such as the Sturgeon Bay area that you visited,
and oftentimes where the Coast Guard is located.
So I'm concerned that the Coast Guard is not yet taking a
comprehensive approach to solving these housing challenges. I
think we need to plan to help identify areas with housing
challenges and craft solutions to meet those challenges, such
as new construction, leases, changes to the housing allowance
or other solutions.
And will you support developing a plan to address these
housing challenges?
Admiral Fagan. Yes. Housing has been a challenge certainly
in the last just couple of years with regard to all just
housing disruption as a result of the pandemic. Housing is
critical. We do use the DoD system for determining BAH but look
forward to working with you on, you know, creative ways to
ensure that our Coast Guard members have access to adequate
housing as we transfer them in and out of locations.
Senator Baldwin. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Chair. Thank you. Senator Cruz.
STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Admiral, welcome. Thank you for your service and
congratulations on your nomination. As you and I have discussed
earlier this week, I am incredibly grateful for the heroism and
service of the incredible men and women of the Coast Guard. My
home state of Texas sees that every day but we saw it in clear
relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey where the men and
women of the Coast Guard demonstrated remarkable courage and
saved an extraordinary number of lives and so thank you for
your service and the service of your colleagues.
One topic I'm very concerned about and you know because we
talked about this at length is the impact of the Biden
Administration's policies of forced vaccines on the Armed
Services across the board.
In August of last year the Secretary of Defense directed
the Secretaries of the military departments to immediately
begin full vaccination of all Active Duty and Ready Reserve
members of the Armed Forces and consistent with that the
Commandant issued an order for the Coast Guard to be
vaccinated.
I'm hearing concerns from men and women of the Coast Guard
about how that is being implemented and so I wanted to ask you,
Number One, how many Coast Guard personnel have requested a
medical exemption from the vaccine mandate?
Admiral Fagan. So 96 percent of the workforce has been
vaccinated. With regard to medical exemptions, we had about 45
people ask for those. Religious accommodation, we had over
1,300 people request religious accommodations.
Senator Cruz. OK. And for both of those categories, how
many have been granted, how many have been denied, and how many
are still pending?
Admiral Fagan. So we've granted 45 temporary medical
exemptions. We are in the process of now working of the over
1,300 religious accommodations. Over 900 of those were
subsequently appealed. We're still working through the appeal
authority there. We've granted four religious accommodations
and continue to work through very deliberately through the
process so that each one of those requests is handled on its
individual merits.
Senator Cruz. So I want to make sure I understand the
numbers. The 45 on medical exemptions, is that how many asked
for them or how many were granted?
Admiral Fagan. How many were granted. I don't know the
total number that were asked for on the medical exemption. We
can get you that number.
Senator Cruz. OK. Yes. I would ask you to follow up with
that number of how many were asked for, how many have been
granted, how many have been denied, and how many are still
pending adjudication.
On the religious exemption, you gave the number 1,300. Is
that how many were asked for or how many--you said 900 were
appealed. So were those denied or what does that number
reflect?
Admiral Fagan. 1,333 were asked for. Those were processed
and then all of those have been notified back and 942 of those
were subsequently appealed. They were denied.
Senator Cruz. So of those----
Admiral Fagan. The original religious accommodations were
denied.
Senator Cruz. Of the 1,300 requests for religious
exemptions, how many were granted?
Admiral Fagan. There were four granted.
Senator Cruz. That's a fairly stunningly low rate. Why is
the Coast Guard only granting four requests for religious
exemptions out of 1,300?
Admiral Fagan. So we've got a process that considers each
request on its merits. I don't have the specifics of each of
the cases, but if there was no grounds for the request, then
they were not approved and then the appeal again another
process that looks through is there merit for the religious
accommodation.
Senator Cruz. Let me ask you how would you respond to a
young man or woman serving in the Coast Guard or considering
serving in the Coast Guard who looks at those numbers out of
1,300 requests, sees only four granted, how would you respond
to that person and said, well, it's obvious that the Coast
Guard doesn't put a whole lot of priority, a whole lot of
emphasis on my religious liberty if they're granting four out
of 1,300. That doesn't sound like a fair and straight-up
process just on the face of it.
Admiral Fagan. The Coast Guard is committed to our
workforce and to those who want to continue to serve. The
vaccine mandate was a general lawful order. Here we have an
obligation to continue to operate the service in a ready and
responsible manner. We've been focused on doing that.
We have a culture of respect in the service and we look
forward to welcoming all to the service.
Senator Cruz. Well, our military branches have had a
consistent challenge dealing with religious liberty for service
men and women. It has been a priority for Congress. It has been
a priority for me. I've multiple times introduced and passed
legislation with bipartisan support directing the military
branches to protect the religious liberty of the men and women
who defend the Nation and I will say on the face of it the
numbers you're reporting are deeply, deeply concerning and it
suggests a confluence between two misguided political
priorities of this Administration.
The vaccine mandate, even if the consequence of it is--and
these 1,300, if the appeals don't succeed, is it your intention
to fire these men and women, and how will that impact readiness
of the Coast Guard?
Admiral Fagan. We are working through the appeal process
and, you know, subsequent sort of employment determinations,
but the priority being the operational readiness of the service
and we will not move forward with this in a manner that erodes
the readiness and ability to operate the service.
Senator Cruz. Well, I very much hope that you do not. Thank
you.
The Chair. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Cruz.
I think that ends our first round. I intended to just ask a
couple of quick questions. I don't know, Senator Baldwin, if
you have a second follow-up question or not.
But I wanted to get your commitment. Obviously the Southern
Resident Orcas are a very big part of the sustainability issues
for us in Puget Sound. Vessel noise has been identified by NOAA
scientists as a significant threat facing that endangered
population.
Will you commit to work with us on a system for Puget Sound
similar to what the Canadian Coast Guard has established to
reduce vessel strikes, noise impacts, and other issues?
Admiral Fagan. We remain committed to working with you on
the issue of preservation of the killer whales as it pertains
to Puget Sound.
The Chair. But on noise reduction plans?
Admiral Fagan. Absolutely committed to those conversations.
The Chair. Thank you. In the last Coast Guard
Reauthorization Act, we included a provision to allow fishermen
to use technology to mark their nets. This will reduce
pollution and help fishermen with fish sustainability.
The FCC is slow at working this rulemaking with the Coast
Guard. So will you work with all of those interests, you know,
the FCC, fishermen, and others to get this done?
Admiral Fagan. We're committed to working with the process
to move that issue forward.
The Chair. OK. Senator Baldwin, do you have any
additional--I'm going to give her the closing script and see if
she has any other additional questions.
Thank you so much for your nomination.
Senator Baldwin. Outside of the Coast Guard, my top defense
priority is strengthening Buy America policies. I've been
pushing for years to get the Navy to make their ships a hundred
percent American-made.
The Administration is now requiring all major programs to
be at least 75 percent domestic content in order to be Buy
America-compliant, but as we saw with the Navy's new Wisconsin-
made frigate, if you require a ship to be 100 percent American-
made and give enough lead time, industry steps up and that's
great news. For the frigate, 100 percent domestic content
requirement even resulted in onshoring a new engine
manufacturer in the United States and so created a lot of new
manufacturing jobs.
Would you support ensuring that the future Coast Guard
fleet is as close to 100 percent American-made as possible?
Admiral Fagan. Thank you, Senator. Coast Guard is committed
to free and open competition and we adhere strictly to the
requirements of the Buy America requirements and committed to
being in alignment with all those requirements as we field the
new assets.
Senator Baldwin. OK. That, I believe, concludes our
hearing.
Thank you again, Admiral Fagan, for appearing before the
Committee today and for your continued commitment to public
service.
Senators will have until Monday, May 2, at the close of
business to submit additional questions for the record to the
Committee, and, Admiral Fagan, you will have until the close of
business on May 6 to respond to those questions.
And thank you again and that concludes today's hearing.
The gavel is down there, but I'll call the meeting----
[Laughter.]
Senator Baldwin. There we go.
Admiral Fagan. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
[Whereupon, at 11:46 a.m., the hearing was concluded.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Admiral Linda L. Fagan
Base Seattle Child Development Center. I am pleased that Seattle
was named as the homeport of the three new Polar Security Cutters. With
the increase in personnel from these new ships also comes a higher need
in support services such as childcare. A 2019 RAND Corporation study
titled, ``Why Do Women Leave the Coast Guard, and What Can Be Done to
Encourage Them to Stay?'' found that women leave the Coast Guard at a
higher rate and at an earlier point in their career than men. Access to
finding quality, affordable childcare was cited as a primary reason for
this trend. These support services are critical to retain a diverse and
talented workforce needed by the Coast Guard to carry out their
critical missions of saving lives, enforcing laws, and safeguarding
maritime commerce.
Question 1. Admiral Fagan, I have heard from Coast Guard families
in Puget Sound about the challenges of finding childcare. These
challenges will only grow with more cutters being stationed there.
Admiral Schultz committed to construct a Child Development Center at
base Seattle. Will you commit to me that the Coast Guard will construct
a Child Development Center to serve families stationed in Seattle?
Answer. Once the Coast Guard is able to finalize its ongoing
expansion of the force laydown in Seattle, I can commit to building a
Child Development Center in the Seattle area. This will be a critical
component of my intent to provide the best support for our service
members and their families stationed in Washington and everywhere the
Coast Guard workforce serves. As I described at the hearing, we must
balance organic childcare capability with other options like subsidies,
and expanding authorities to cover in-home care (e.g., au pairs and
nannies), this is especially true in major metropolitan areas where the
Coast Guard's workforce is geographically dispersed.
Question 2. The Coast Guard has three ways to help their members
with childcare including a subsidy program, childcare care centers at
large bases, and Family Childcare Centers. While you have invested in
the first two options significantly, what more can you do to
incentivize the development of Family Childcare Centers?
Answer. I appreciate Congress's continued support for the Coast
Guard workforce and their families. The $4 million increase provided in
the FY 2022 Appropriation for childcare fee assistance helps to defray
the rising costs our families are facing; however in terms of childcare
there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. As you know, the Coast
Guard's workforce is geographically dispersed, which requires childcare
solutions other than CDCs in areas with high concentrations of Coast
Guard personnel. In regards to Family Childcare Centers (FCCs),
assisting Coast Guard spouses with daycare business start-up costs
would eliminate a potential barrier to entry and help incentivize FCC
providers. Expanding fee assistance authorities to include full-time
in-home childcare provides another option for service members,
particularly for those serving in locations without CDCs or Coast Guard
housing (required for FCCs). I look forward to working with you and
your staff as we continue to explore better ways to support the Coast
Guard's greatest resource, our people.
Southern resident orcas. Orcas are extremely important ecologically
and culturally to the Pacific Northwest and the state of Washington.
Southern resident orcas are endangered with only 74 animals left in the
population. The population is under stress due to many factors
including vessel strikes and noise. In the 2020 Elijah E. Cummings
Coast Guard Authorization Act, the Coast Guard was directed to submit a
report and action plan in consultation with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration related to Southern resident orca vessel
buffer zones.
The report submitted to Congress did not address the Coast Guard's
efforts in relation to Quiet Sound, coordination with Canada, or how it
was working with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to
reduce vessel noise on Southern resident orcas. In addition, the Coast
Guard has chosen to attend Quiet Sound meetings in an advisory role but
has failed to contribute to discussion.
Question 1. Admiral Fagan, the Canadian Coast Guard has established
a whale desk to reduce vessel strikes and noise impacts to Orcas. Will
you commit to work with me to setup a similar system in the Puget
Sound?
Answer. I am fully committed to the protection of marine habitats,
marine mammals, and endangered species and I look forward to engaging
more with the Committee, Coast Guard operational commanders, and other
federal, state, local, and Tribal stakeholders on any legislation
pertaining to Southern Resident Orcas. The Coast Guard's ongoing work
with interagency and international partners on conservation and
enforcement is a top priority and I am open to evaluating additional
measures to safeguard these endangered marine mammals.
Question 2. NOAA, the Port of Seattle, the Makah Tribe, the
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and other Federal and
state agencies are working together through the Quiet Sound initiative
to reduce vessel impacts to orcas. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard is
the only Federal agency that participates in an advisory role. This
means the Coast Guard often sits silently in meetings, even when asked
for feedback. Will you commit to elevating the Coast Guard's
participation by ensuring that the Coast Guard meaningfully contributes
to the Quiet Sound Program? Will you ensure any Coast Guard
representative participating has decision-making authority and is able
to contribute to discussion?
Answer. I am committed to continued, active Coast Guard
participation in the Quiet Sound initiative. Our goal is to provide
navigational safety and maritime law enforcement expertise, maritime
traffic data, and communication tools to reduce impacts on Southern
Resident Orcas. Through the recently launched operational working
groups, I am confident the Coast Guard's role will increase. I know the
local leadership from Sector Puget Sound and District 13 eagerly await
the next leadership meeting in July, 2022.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Kyrsten Sinema to
Admiral Linda L. Fagan
Arctic and Icebreakers. As you are aware, Russia has over 40
icebreakers in its Arctic fleet, including nine nuclear-powered
icebreakers. In light of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of
Ukraine, we must ensure our defenses are prepared for possible hostile
actions by the Russian military. The United States currently has two
icebreakers in operation and both have been in service for decades, and
only one of those ships is a heavy-duty polar icebreaker. Congress has
taken steps to allocate funding towards the construction of the Polar
Security Cutter class of ships over the past several years.
Question 1. Could you provide an update on the Polar Security
Cutter program? Will you prioritize ensuring the Coast Guard has the
ability to counter potential Russian aggression in the Arctic Ocean?
Answer. The Polar Security Cutter (PSC) is one of the Coast Guard's
top acquisition priorities, and is vital to project U.S. sovereignty in
the Arctic and protect U.S. interests in the Antarctic. The Contract
Delivery Date for the first PSC remains May 2025. While we anticipate
that the start of construction may be delayed until the second quarter
of FY 2023, it is premature at this point to definitize a correlating
delivery delay, as the Coast Guard has not granted contractual schedule
relief. I am committed to working closely with Halter Marine to reduce
program risk and deliver this capability to the Nation at best speed.
Sexual Assault within the Coast Guard. I have concerns about the
increase in reported sexual assault allegations year over year from
Fiscal Year 2019 to Fiscal Year 2020 within the Coast Guard's ranks.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has also faced challenges with sexual
assault and harassment, with the Command Master Chief of the Academy
relieved of his duties for inappropriate conduct.
Question 2. What steps will you take to ensure that sexual
misconduct allegations within the Coast Guard are taken seriously and
properly adjudicated? Will you also commit to producing sexual assault
and harassment reports in a timely manner? What resources does the
Coast Guard make available to survivors of assault or harassment, even
after their tenure with the Coast Guard has concluded, and will the
Coast Guard take steps to expand the availability of such services?
Answer. Sexual assault is a crime and not tolerated in the Coast
Guard. If Confirmed, I will ensure the Service continues training
programs, follows policies to protect victims, and has robust processes
for reporting crimes such as sexual assault. The Coast Guard is working
to release our annual report to Congress on sexual assault at the
beginning of September, 2022.
While this is the first year we will release our report at the same
time as the other Armed Services, I am committed to doing so moving
forward. In August 2021, the Coast Guard expanded access to Sexual
Assault Prevention Response and Recovery (SAPRR) services, to include
Coast Guard civilians and all former members of the Coast Guard who
were sexually assaulted while serving on active or reserve duty.
Civilians and former members now have the option to meet with a Sexual
Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or Victim Advocate (VA) to receive
information, discuss reporting options, and receive referrals for care.
If confirmed, I will seek ways to expand the availability of these
critical support services.
Diversity at the Coast Guard Academy. At present, minority groups
are underrepresented in the cadet population at the Coast Guard
Academy, particularly among Native American cadets.
Question 3. Does the Coast Guard have any plans to conduct outreach
among Arizona's 22 federally recognized tribes to find qualified
candidates to expand minority representation?
Has the Coast Guard's College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative
sent any recruiters to tribal colleges and universities located in
Arizona?
Answer. As I laid out in the hearing last week, I am committed to
the Coast Guard workforce. That includes continuing to improve the
diversity and inclusion at every level of the Service. While I cannot
speak definitively on Arizona's tribal colleges and universities being
recognized as Minority Serving Institutions, I can tell you that the
Coast Guard recently formed a dedicated Officer Recruiting Corps
focused on recruiting at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs) and other MSIs. I have directed my staff to update me on the
MSI status of tribal colleges and universities and look forward to
working with you to ensure we do not miss any opportunity to recruit,
train, and retain a diverse workforce and grow the Coast Guard's
Recruiting Corps to access new markets and talent.
Childcare Programs. A 2019 RAND Corporation study suggests that
improving access to childcare would help address the issue of female
attrition within the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard operates nine child
development centers at its largest bases and also offers subsidies to
service members to offset the cost of private sector childcare
services. The president's Fiscal Year 2023 budget provides $17 million
to the subsidy program, which was the same funding level for Fiscal
Year 2022. Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
provided $120 million to the Coast Guard to construct four new child
development centers and expand two existing centers.
Question 4. Do you think the Coast Guard should continue to
prioritize the child care subsidy program?
Answer. Yes, if confirmed, I will continue to look for
opportunities to help Coast Guard families. As I described in the
hearing, we must balance organic childcare capability with other
service options like subsides, and expanded authorities to cover in-
home care (e.g., au pairs and nannies). I look forward to working with
you and your staff as we continue to explore better ways to support the
Coast Guard's greatest resource, our people.
Question 5. What other steps should Congress consider to address
the issue of affordable, quality childcare for Coast Guard families?
Answer. I appreciate Congress's continued support for the Coast
Guard workforce and their families. The $4 million increase provided in
the FY 2022 Appropriation for childcare fee assistance helps to defray
the rising costs of childcare our families are facing; however in terms
of childcare there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Building Child
Development Centers (CDCs) are critical to providing the support our
service members and their families need. However, the Coast Guard's
workforce is geographically dispersed, which requires childcare
solutions other than CDCs in areas with high concentrations of Coast
Guard personnel. In addition to building more CDCs and expanding
childcare subsidies, the Service needs additional fee assistance
authorities for full-time in-home childcare. Growing the number of
Family Childcare Centers (FCCs) is also a priority and assisting Coast
Guard spouses with daycare business start-up costs would eliminate a
potential barrier to entry and help incentivize FCC providers.
Indo-Pacific. The Coast Guard plays a critical role in ensuring a
free and open Indo-Pacific and combatting unlawful Chinese activities
and claims in the region.
Question 6. Can you provide an update on the Coast Guard's efforts
to respond to China's ``maritime militia'' and its failure to prevent
unregulated fishing in global waters? What steps will you take to
further strengthen the Coast Guard's engagement with affected nations
to counter this threat?
Answer. The Coast Guard has an enduring and specialized role in
Oceania and the greater Indo-Pacific to preserve the free-flow of
commerce, protect natural resources, and enhance regional stability.
The FY 2023 President's Budget expands the Coast Guard's capacity to
conduct operations, engage in maritime governance activities, and
participate in regional efforts to increase partner nation proficiency,
self-sustainment, and local expertise in maritime security operations.
I am committed to strengthening the Coast Guard's efforts in the Indo-
Pacific and countering the threats of Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing, which has replaced piracy as the leading global
maritime security threat. If confirmed, I will continue to look for
opportunities to support the White House Indo-Pacific Strategy and work
collaboratively with our partners and allies.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
Admiral Linda L. Fagan
Parenthood ban at the Coast Guard Academy. Currently, cadets with
parental obligations cannot enroll in the Coast Guard Academy, and
cadets who become parents while enrolled will be expelled unless they
give up their parental rights. The Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA directs the
Secretary of Defense to develop policy that includes the option to
preserve parental guardianship rights of cadets and midshipmen, but it
omits the Coast Guard Academy from the academies covered. No person
should be denied entrance to or be forced to leave the Coast Guard
Academy on the basis of parental obligations.
Question. Will you work with the Coast Guard Academy Superintendent
to develop policies that allow Coast Guard Academy cadets with parental
obligations to enroll in or remain enrolled at the Academy? If not,
please explain why you think this policy is necessary to maintain going
forward.
Answer. As noted, Section 559A of the FY 2022 National Defense
Authorization Act does not directly apply to the Coast Guard Academy.
However, I am committed to collaborating with our fellow military
service academies to develop these policies that maintain appropriate
parity with the DoD services.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to
Admiral Linda L. Fagan
Question 1. As part of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act,
Congress passed legislation exempting vessels that primarily operate
within the Alaskan-region from certain GMDSS requirements. I have been
closely monitoring the implementation of this law and am concerned that
the implemented rule may vary significantly from the intent.
Specifically, the intent was to allow vessels primarily operating in
Alaska to operate in much the same fashion as they have for years. I am
concerned that the final rule will require equipment that possesses
little to no functional value. Can you commit to working with the FCC
to ensure that the original legislative intent is adhered to and that
these vessels are not required to install unnecessary equipment?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the FCC to implement
the provisions of 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, including
section 8336 of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2020. As required by Section 8336, the Coast Guard has provided DHS a
recommended definition for the term ``Alaskan Region.'' The Coast Guard
and DHS will continue to work with FCC to implement this statute in
alignment with legislative intent.
Question 2. As you mentioned in your testimony, you intend to
improve the Coast Guard's access to childcare and housing. Child care
is an important issue and one that looks slightly different throughout
the country. In some areas, the Service can explore increased subsidy
payments thus allowing service members to utilize non-military
childcare. In other regions, such as Sitka, Alaska, the issue is not as
simple as increasing subsidy payments as the community is lacking in
both civilian and military childcare capacity. Similarly, commercially
available housing is challenging for many communities that are
experiencing an increased demand from different sectors. As you look at
addressing the child care and housing issues within the Coast Guard,
will you commit to exploring options that do not displace the needs of
local communities, or when feasible, exploring joint ventures that are
mutually beneficial?
Answer. If confirmed, I will continue to look for opportunities to
better support our Coast Guard families, to include improving access to
childcare and housing. The $4 million increase provided in the FY 2022
Appropriation for childcare fee assistance helps to defray the rising
costs of childcare our families are facing; however in terms of
childcare there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Building Child
Development Centers (CDCs) is a critical component of my intent to
provide the best support for our service members and their families.
The same is true with housing, and I am committed to continuing to
identify the best solutions to fit the needs of our workforce and the
communities where we serve. While, we have not entered into public-
private housing agreements, I am committed to continued investment in
housing; projects like the Kodiak, AK housing--currently in phase IV of
a complete rebuild. As we continue to improve access to childcare and
housing, I will ensure local considerations, such as those in Sitka,
Alaska, are incorporated into Coast Guard assessments and planning. All
service members and their dependents need to have access to childcare
as well as adequate housing. I look forward to working with you and
your staff on this important issue.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
Admiral Linda L. Fagan
Question 1. For good reason, I hear from Tennesseans about their
concerns with the current supply chain situation and the effect it's
having on their businesses. And this is not limited to any certain kind
of company--the supply chain shortages are hurting everyone from Oak
Ridge National Labs to small providers of home appliances. For this
reason, I worked with Senators Peters and Scott to introduce a bill to
direct the SelectUSA program to engage with states about how to attract
foreign direct investment from non-adversarial countries for
semiconductor manufacturing.
How are you working with states and their economic
development organizations--like the Tennessee Department of
Economic and Community Development--to think about the role of
foreign direct investment in helping fill gaps in the supply
chain?
And how do we make sure--like our bill contemplates--that
those dollars are not coming from countries like China, but
rather those who want to work with us and not against us to
ensure the U.S. can stay a leader in manufacturing?
Answer. The Coast Guard works in concert with other Federal, State,
local, Tribal, and territorial agencies, the marine industry, maritime
associations and the international community to safeguard the efficient
movement of $5.4 trillion in annual economic activity and support 30.8
million American jobs across the Nation's Marine Transportation System
(MTS). Recently, surging consumer demand, labor shortages, and overseas
manufacturing delays have resulted in congestion at our Nation's ports.
While the Coast Guard does not have a direct role in how local port
infrastructure and other waterfront facilities are financed, I am
committed to close and continued cooperation with local port partners
in maintaining awareness and managing the risks resulting from port
congestion. Our national security and economic prosperity are
inextricably linked to the MTS, and the Coast Guard takes pride in its
role managing the Nation's waterways in order to keep America's
consumers, producers, manufacturers, and farmers connected to both
domestic and global markets.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ted Cruz to
Admiral Linda L. Fagan
Question 1. Admiral in your written testimony you stated your
``highest priority will be to modernize our talent management system.''
This is laudable considering recruitment and retention of personnel is
a recurring issue, especially among more specialized occupations. In
your assessment, in which 20 specialties (``rates'') does the Coast
Guard have greatest problems recruiting and retaining? Please rank them
by greatest to least. In your assessment, what are the20 most critical
occupational specialties (``rates'') for the Coast Guard? Please rank
them from most critical to operational readiness to least critical.
a. Please describe why each of those 20 specialties are critical to
the United States Coast Guard.
b. Please describe why you believe Coast Guardsmen in those 20
specialties decide to leave the United States Coast Guard
before reaching retirement.
c. Please describe why you believe the Coast Guard has issues
filling these 20 critical specialties. That is, an assessment
of whether the issue is recruitment, retention, sharply
increased demand, etc. If the answer is a mix, please provide a
best-guess as to the principle factor at play and rank the
contributing factors.
d. For each of the 20 critical occupational specialties, what is the
personnel margin? That is, how many extra (above the bare
minimum needed to sustain operational readiness) active duty or
reserve Coast Guardsmen are there in that rate?
e. For each of the 20 occupational specialties, are any of them
below the level needed for operational readiness? If so, please
specify which specialties, how far below manning requirements,
and the impact to operational readiness now, and in the
immediate future.
Answer. The Coast Guard's missions cannot happen without all of our
rates, and while we have enlisted rates designated as ``critical'',
that designation does not directly correlate to a readiness impact. The
rates currently designated as critical are:
Aviation Survival Technician (AST)
Boatswain Mate (BM)
Culinary Specialist (CS)
Gunners Mate (GM)
That list is updated frequently, and we take specific recruiting
and retention efforts, such as re-enlistment bonuses or offering new
recruits bonuses for entering those rates, to best maintain the
readiness of the Coast Guard. If confirmed, I am committed to
developing new strategies that sustain the Coast Guard as an employer
of choice. We need to recruit, train, and retain the very best talent
to ensure organizational success in an increasingly complex and dynamic
maritime and national security environment.
To your question about why our people decide to leave the Service,
the Coast Guard currently enjoys the highest retention rate of all the
Armed Forces. We do not have a comprehensive dataset that allows us to
identify trends or reasons for each member's departure. I feel that
this is a gap in our talent management system and I am committed to
developing the systems and processes necessary to better inform our
retention efforts.
Admiral Fagan, during your hearing you and I discussed the
administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate and the impact that mandate
is having and could have in the future on operational readiness of the
Coast Guard. During that back-and-forth you were able to provide some
detail, but didn't have other figures readily available. Specifically
we had the following exchange:
Senator Cruz: I am hearing concerns from men and women in the
Coast Guard about how that is being implemented and so I wanted
to ask your number one, how many Coast Guard personnel have
requested a medical exemption from the vaccine mandate?
Admiral Fagan: So, 96 percent of the workforce has a--has been
vaccinated. With regard to medical exemptions, we had about 45
people asked for those, religious accommodation and we had over
1,300 people request religious accommodations.
Senator Cruz: OK and for both of those categories, how many
have been granted, how many have been denied and how many are
still pending?
Admiral Fagan: And so we granted 45 temporary medical
exemptions. We are in the process of now working of the over
1,300 religious accommodations, over 900 of those were
subsequently appealed. We are still working through the appeal
authority there. We granted for religious accommodations and
continue to work through very deliberately through the process,
so that each one of those request is handled on its individual
merits.
Senator Cruz: So, I want to make sure I understand the numbers.
The 45 on medical exemptions, is that how many asked for them
or how many were granted?
Admiral Fagan: That is how many were granted, I do not know the
total number that were asked for a medical exemption. We can
get you that number.
Senator Cruz: OK, I would ask you to follow up with that number
of how many--how many were asked for, how many had been
granted, how many had been denied and how many are still
pending adjudication. On the religious exemption, you gave the
number 1,300. Is that how many were asked for or how many--you
said 900 or appeal, so were those denied or what is that number
looks like?
Admiral Fagan: 1,333 were asked for. Those were processed and
then on--and all of those have been notified back and 942 of
those were subsequently appealed, they were denied.
Senator Cruz: Of the 1,300 requests for religious exemptions,
how many were granted?
Admiral Fagan: There were four granted.
As I said during your hearing, four out of 1,300 requests is a
stunningly low rate, and I would like to get more information from you
on the specifics on that process. And how this relates to on-going
personnel challenges. For the questions 2 through 5 and their subparts,
please break your answers down as follows:
The total number
The number as it relates to active duty Coast Guardsmen
The number as it relates to Ready Reserve Coast Guardsmen
A breakdown of the occupational specialty (``rates'')), or
Coast Guard equivalent, of requests. (That is how many rescue
swimmers, how many pilots, how many aviation maintenance
technicians, etc.)
Question 2. In total, how many Coast Guardsmen requested an
exemption from the August 2021 requirement to be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19?
a. Of these, how many were denied?
b. Of the denials, how many were appealed?
c. Of the appeals, have any been fully processed and approved? Have
any been fully rejected? If so, how many in each category?
d. How many requested exemptions are still awaiting processing?
Answer. Coast Guard members may receive a medical exemption,
administrative exemption, or religious accommodation from a mandated
vaccine. A detailed breakdown of the current status of medical
exemptions and religious accommodations for the COVID-19 vaccination is
included in answers to questions three and four below.
Question 3. How many Coast Guardsmen requested a medical exemption
from the August 2021requirement to be fully vaccinated against COVID-
19?
a. Of these, how many were denied?
b. Of the denials, how many were appealed?
c. Of the appeals, have any been fully processed and approved? Have
any been fully rejected? If so, how many in each category?
d. How many requested medical exemptions are still awaiting
processing?
Answer. A total of 25 service members requested a permanent medical
exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination.
a. 16 permanent medical exemption requests were denied.
b. 7 permanent medical exemption requests were granted.
c. 2 medical exemption denials were appealed and not approved.
d. 2 permanent medical exemption requests are pending.
Question 4. How many Coast Guardsmen requested a religious
exemption from the August 2021 requirement to be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19?
a. Of these, how many were denied?
b. Of the denials, how many were appealed?
c. Of the appeals, have any been fully processed and approved? Have
any been fully rejected? If so, how many in each category?
d. How many requested religious exemptions are still awaiting
processing?
Answer. The Coast Guard received 1,335 religious accommodation (RA)
requests.
a. Four RA requests were approved and 1,242 were denied. 86
administrative exemptions were granted for members separating
or retiring prior to 1 October 2022. Three members elected to
receive the vaccine and withdrew their RA request.
b. Coast Guard members submitted 944 appeals of their initial RA
request.
c. The Coast Guard's appeal process is ongoing. 137 service member
notifications of appeal denial have been sent.
d. 807 appeals remain in process.
Question 5. How soon does the Coast Guard expect to fully process
all exemption requests and subsequent appeals?
Answer. The Coast Guard has begun notifications for all of the
submitted religious accommodation appeals, and I can commit to having
all 944 responses completed this summer.
Question 6. Admiral I appreciate you stating that you will not do
anything that will put the operational readiness of the Coast Guard at
risk with regards to the vaccine mandate, but absent this discretion
what would the end result be for Coast Guardsmen who are denied an
exemption, lose all appeals, and still refuse to get vaccinated?
Answer. I am committed to maintaining the readiness that the Nation
expects from the Coast Guard. My goal is to retain every Coast Guard
member. For members whose request for religious accommodation or
medical exemption are denied and who remain unvaccinated, the Service
retains the ability to determine their remaining time in the Coast
Guard to best support mission readiness. As circumstances dictate,
these members may naturally attrit, voluntarily separate, or may be
involuntarily separated.
Question 7. What would the impact be to the readiness of the Coast
Guard if all Coast Guardsmen seeking exemptions were separated? Would
the Coast Guard still be able to succeed across all its mission areas?
Answer. If the scenario you posed became a reality, the Coast Guard
would expect a mission readiness impact, which is why my goal is to
retain every Coast Guard member. For members whose request for
religious accommodation or medical exemption are denied and who remain
unvaccinated, the Service retains the ability to determine their
remaining time in the Coast Guard to best support mission readiness.
Close to 98 percent of the Coast Guard's active duty workforce is
vaccinated against COVID-19.
Question 8. With regards to retention, what impact does something
like the Secretary of Defense's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination order
have? Specifically, how is this impacting some of the more specialized
occupations like marine safety inspectors, who are often hired away by
industry, or fixed-wing aircraft pilots, who are sought after by the
commercial airlines?
Answer. The Coast Guard currently enjoys the highest retention rate
of all the Armed Forces. However, we do not have a comprehensive
dataset that allows us to identify trends or reasons for each member's
departure. I feel that this is a gap in our talent management system
and I am committed to developing the systems and processes necessary to
best inform our retention efforts. We are not currently experiencing
shortages in the specialties that you mentioned above due to policies
or any other known workforce driver or trend.
Question 9. We have heard anecdotal evidence of military personnel
in some branches who report that adverse employment decisions have been
made against them if they request a religious exemption (in some cases
even before a decision on an application has been reached). Are you
aware of any such instances in the Coast Guard? How do you plan on
protecting Coast Guardsmen from such retaliation?
Answer. I am not aware of any situations where a member requesting
a religious accommodation or medical exemption was subject to any
decision counter to stated Coast Guard policy. There are existing
policy and processes in place to protect and provide recourse for
unsubstantiated adverse employment action. I am committed to ensuring
that all processes and resources remain are available to the entire
workforce and that our actions remain within policy.
Question 10. What statutory or constitutional guidance does the
Coast Guard consult when making decisions about religious exemption
applications?
a. Do you believe that these military personnel have First Amendment
rights while on active duty? What about Ready Reserve
personnel?
b. Is the Coast Guard subject to the Religious Freedom Restoration
Act?
Answer. The Coast Guard's long-standing policy covering a Service
member's ability to request a reasonable accommodation to allow the
practice of a sincerely held religious belief was developed in
accordance with the Constitution and all applicable Federal laws. The
Service is subject to, and meets all requirements of the Religious
Freedom Restoration Act.
Question 11. I want to turn to the Coast Guard's law enforcement
mission, and specifically the work in the Gulf of Mexico combatting
drug and human smuggling, enforcement of the maritime border, and
illegal fishing. In your written testimony you stated the Coast Guard
is committed to Secretary Mayorkas' priorities, including maritime
border security. Having seen the Secretary's level of commitment to
terrestrial border security, I have to admit this raises some red
flags.
As you probably know the Biden Administration is pushing to end
Title 42 restrictions in May. A Federal court in Louisiana seems poised
to block that decision, but for now, Congress and the states have to
continue to plan for the Biden administration to keep pushing to end
Title 42 until that case has resolution. By the Administration's own
estimates, this is going to cause a massive surge in illegal immigrants
crossing the border with DHS estimates ranging as high as 12,000 or
even 18,000 migrants per day. This is not just a migrant interdiction
problem though, this is also a massive search and rescue issue as we
were tragically reminded last week with the death of Texas National
Guardsman Spc. Bishop E. Evans, who died trying to rescue two drowning
immigrants illegally crossing the Rio Grande.
Admiral, the Coast Guard in South Texas already does a massive
amount of work helping CBP interdict drugs and illegal immigrants
coming into the United States, including performing search and rescue
missions for migrants who get into trouble. They do an incredible job
despite being under-resourced and despite an ever-increasing workload.
If Title 42 is repealed, do you expect the Coast Guard's job in
South Texas to get easier or harder? From your perspective, is this the
right time to repeal Title 42?
Answer. Smugglers have no regard for the lives of migrants and
continue to take advantage of vulnerable individuals by spreading
misinformation about our laws. The termination of the CDC's public
health order issued pursuant to Title 42 will not affect the Coast
Guard's ability to rescue and intercept individuals attempting this
dangerous journey by sea. Individuals intercepted at sea attempting to
enter the United States without proper documentation are, and will
continue to be, subject to repatriation to their home country.
Irregular maritime migration is always dangerous and often deadly. The
Coast Guard is committed to ensuring the safety of life at sea and
maintaining the integrity of our maritime borders.
Question 12. Admiral, I want to turn to the broader law enforcement
mission now and particularly domain awareness in the Gulf. Does the
Coast Guard have full domain awareness in its area of responsibility at
the maritime boundary line between the United States and Mexico, and
specifically the maritime border off the coast of Texas? That is--is
the Coast Guard fully aware of all boats and barges in the Gulf moving
from Mexico into the United States, and specifically off the Texas
coast, at any given point? If not, why not and what would it take for
the Coast Guard to have full domain awareness here?
Answer. While we strive for 100 percent maritime domain awareness
(MDA), it is nearly impossible to achieve. However, I am committed to
investments in capabilities (current and emerging) that will enhance
MDA and improve effectiveness of our operations. Additional investments
in technology that enable real-time use of imagery, data and
intelligence, as well as investments in unmanned, autonomous systems,
and artificial intelligence will enhance maritime domain awareness and
mission effectiveness.
Question 13. Admiral as I raised with you in our private meeting, I
have a lot of concern with regards to the Mexican lancha problem and
the illegal fishing those vessels engage in. This is not just a natural
resource issue--although it is also that--this is a border security,
narcotics trafficking, and human smuggling issue as well. A number of
these illegal fishing boats and their crews dabble in illegal red
snapper fishing on Monday, illegal alien trafficking Tuesday, and drug
smuggling Wednesday. And the problem has only continued to get worse
and worse and worse. Should you be confirmed, what do you plan to do
about this? What will it take to finally put a stop to this scourge?
Answer. The Eighth Coast Guard District is highly focused on the
U.S.--Mexico Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) and currently maintains a
persistent presence along the MBL with afloat assets to counter Mexican
lancha activity. This Coast Guard presence boosts offshore detection
and interdiction capability, and deters illegal fishing, drug and human
smuggling, and other illicit activities that represent an immediate
threat to U.S. sovereignty, border security, and our living marine
resources. If confirmed, I am committed to strengthening Coast Guard's
effort to counter the threats of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
(IUU) Fishing on the U.S./Mexico border and throughout the 3.4 million
miles of our Exclusive Economic Zone.
Question 14. Outside of resources, do you think NOAA's recent
decertification of Mexico is sufficient or should Congress look at
other areas where we can exert pressure like economic sanctions for the
Government of Mexico, which seems to tacitly endorse this illegal
activity, or criminal penalties for the captains of the lanchas?
Answer. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing is a pervasive
global maritime security threat and rising priority for the U.S.
Government. If additional sanctions are imposed by the U.S. Government,
the Coast Guard would work in coordination with our interagency and
other partners to ensure enforcement. In terms of the Coast Guard's
role, in July of 2021, I signed the Implementation Plan for the Coast
Guard's Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Strategic
Outlook. If confirmed, I intend to continue implementing the Coast
Guard's plan to combat IUU fishing by leveraging our authorities and
capabilities to protect our sovereignty; support cooperative
enforcement efforts; and advance stability, security, and order in the
maritime domain.
Question 15. Would the Coast Guard benefit from additional
information sharing with other agencies? For instance, my staff was
recently at South Padre Island station and were informed that it can be
difficult to receive information from CBP or utilize their resources,
despite CBP being a frequent user of Coast Guard resources and
intelligence. Should Congress mandate CBP share its information and
resources with the Coast Guard?
Answer. The Coast Guard has been a member of the wider intelligence
community since 2001 and has established partnerships with national,
state, local, Tribal law enforcement, and international intelligence
entities. The Coast Guard benefits from a productive relationship with
CBP across many of our joint lines of efforts pertaining to maritime
law enforcement and border security. This issue has my attention, and I
will coordinate with my counterpart at CBP to ensure the continued
sharing of intelligence and cooperation in executing our missions.
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