U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul F. Zukunft will testify before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard at an agency oversight hearing titled, “Staying Afloat: Examining the Resources and Priorities of the U.S. Coast Guard.” The hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.

Increasing activity in the Arctic and the destabilizing impacts of violence, corruption, terrorism, and drug trafficking in the Caribbean Basin, Central America, and Mexico will continue to test the Coast Guard’s current capabilities. In order to meet these challenges, the Coast Guard is in the midst of a major asset recapitalization effort that will modernize the service’s ships, boats, aircraft, and command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. 

The Coast Guard’s FY 2016 budget request reflects the agency’s ongoing efforts to recapitalize its fleet of cutters, boats, and aircraft as well as key systems and infrastructure.  The request also addresses each of the Coast Guard’s 11 statutory missions in support of the Department of Homeland Security and other national priorities. Operating expenses account for $6.82 billion of the FY 2016 budget request, which is a slight decrease from the FY 2015 enacted budget. 

Witness:

- Admiral Paul F. Zukunft , Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

Hearing Details:
 
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
10:00 a.m.
 
Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard hearing titled, “Staying Afloat: Examining the Resources and Priorities of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
 
This hearing will take place in Senate Russell Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available at this page.

For reporters interested in reserving a seat, please contact the press gallery:

• Periodical Press Gallery – 202-224-0265

• Radio/Television Gallery – 202-224-6421

• Press Photographers Gallery – 202-224-6548

• Daily Press Gallery – 202-224-0241

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.