[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2838) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 
     2012 through 2015, and for other purposes:
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Chair, H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act 2011, authorizes Coast Guard funding for Fiscal 
Years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The authorized levels were approved in the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Budget Views and 
Estimates, and reflect the levels set in the House-passed Budget 
Resolution.
  Following up on the Committee's Sitting on Our Assets Report, H.R. 
2838 decommissions two aging icebreakers, neither of which currently 
operates. The bill also restricts the purchases of future National 
Security Cutters (NSCs) until current NSCs meet long-promised mission 
performance capabilities.
  In addition to authorizing the Coast Guard and making improvements to 
the service's programs and capabilities, the bill also improves the 
administration of maritime transportation, including--clarifying the 
circumstances under which a foreign seaman injured outside the United 
States can sue in United States courts.
  The bill incorporates H.R. 2840, the Commercial Vessel Discharges 
Reform Act of 2011. H.R. 2840 establishes a uniform national standard 
for ballast water discharges. This provision is strongly supported by 
the U.S. and international maritime industry. It protects the 
environment and makes maritime transportation more efficient.
  H.R. 2838 also incorporates an amended version of H.R. 2839, the 
Piracy Suppression Act of 2011, which authorizes additional actions to 
suppress piracy. It also improves the tracking of ransom payments to 
pirates to assure these payments do not fund terrorism.
  This bill promotes maritime safety and security and make makes 
maritime commerce more efficient. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' 
on H.R. 2838.

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