[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






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                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

                              ----------                              
                                                                   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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