Coast Guard commandant testifies on budget to House subcommittee

WASHINGTON — The commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr.,  and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt, testified today before the House subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation about the service’s fiscal year 2012 budget request.

The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-NJ., received testimony detailing the Coast Guard’s budget request as well as an update on the state of the service.

“The challenge we face is that the rising costs of running aging cutters, boats, aircraft and shore facilities quickly consume any positive increment in our budget,” Papp said in his opening statement. “In an effort to avoid any reduction in front line operations, we have carved out over $100 million by directing management efficiencies, and making targeted reductions in administrative costs and professional services for reinvestment in operations,” he continued. “These were tough choices, but I think the right ones.”

To download written testimonies please click here.

Click here for a video of the hearing.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley

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