[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. GARRET GRAVES

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2019

  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add that there 
are several provisions contained in H.R. 3409 to ensure that the Coast 
Guard stays on the cutting edge of readiness. I appreciated the 
inclusion of the Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure Improvement Act, 
which I introduced with my colleague, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell of Florida. 
This legislation will ensure that the $2.6 billion backlog of shore 
infrastructure needs are prioritized strategically so that our Coasties 
have the high-quality on-shore facilities to support their numerous 
missions.
  I also want to thank Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Maloney for working with my 
staff to include in H.R. 3409 a provision to prepare a demonstration 
program for the use of wing-in-ground vessels in the Outer Continental 
Shelf. Mr. Speaker, this provision emphasizes the dramatic advancements 
in new transportation technologies over the past few years and urges 
the Coast Guard to begin preparing to oversee their use. A 
demonstration program will support the Coast Guard in conceptualizing 
how these new technologies will be used to support commerce in U.S. 
waters and how such vessels will be regulated. We cannot wait for these 
technologies to be fully matured before we contemplate their safe 
application in our waters or airspace. Again, I appreciate the 
inclusion of these provisions in the underlying authorization and 
support its adoption.

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