Aderholt Questions Admiral Papp on FY13 Coast Guard Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2012
CONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876

Aderholt Questions Admiral Papp on FY13 Coast Guard Budget
Demands Answers on Cuts to Active Duty Coast Guard Personnel, Reduced Cutter Patrol Hours and Acquisition Management

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Robert J. Papp testified before the Subcommittee regarding USCG’s priorities and FY13 budget request.

“Last week we were given a sobering reminder of the risks our frontline operators take each and every day, when a Coast Guard helicopter carrying four crewmembers unfortunately and tragically crashed off the coast of Alabama” said Aderholt. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the HH-65 crewmembers, the Coast Guard and the entire DHS family during this difficult time.”

“Tragic events like these remind us the critical need to provide our frontline operators with the tools and resources they need to keep our nation secure. However, in today’s tough budget environment, we must do so in a fiscally responsible manner. While Admiral Papp has been vocal about the Coast Guard not having adequate resources to perform its 11 statutory missions, and while the Administration claims to support for frontline operations and building capacity towards stated mission requirements, this budget submission diminishes current, near-term, and future capabilities.

“The FY13 budget request also calls for the reduction of 1,000 active duty positions and decommissions three 110-patrol boats and two high endurance cutters. Decreasing military-end strength, reducing cutter hours to an all time low, meanwhile delaying Offshore Patrol Cutter and failing to place the six Fast Response Cutters appropriated in FY12 is a dangerous combination and I fear could dramatically impact our nation’s safety and security. Once again this budget request does not provide a straightforward picture of its impact on critical missions and frontline operations.”

“The bottom line is the Coast Guard must prioritize funding to frontline operators and leverage its new acquisition directorate to properly plan for and then adequately adjust fund key mission needs in a cost effective and timely manner—ensuring dollars spent, equals security realized.” concluded Aderholt.

Click here to view Chairman Aderholt’s entire opening statement as prepared for delivery.

Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and Agriculture Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.

For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit www.aderholt.house.gov.