Coast Guard opposes long-delayed spending bill

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Coast Guard opposes long-delayed spending bill
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 24, 2008 5:47:21 EDT

The bill to authorize expenditures for operating the Coast Guard in the fiscal year that began last October at long last is set to be voted on by Congress — and the service, backed by the White House, is strongly urging lawmakers to vote no.

At issue are a number of key provisions opposed by the Coast Guard, including a congressionally added requirement that, in the service’s view, would turn Coasties into security guards for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and take them away from dozens of other responsibilities.

“The amendment basically says the Coast Guard is responsible for providing security for LNG facilities and cannot rely on other agencies,” said a Coast Guard source. “With this proposal, one has to wonder how you could meet those requirements and not affect other high-priority missions, like search and rescue, fisheries enforcement and migrant interdiction.”

Adm. Thad Allen, the Coast Guard’s commandant, issued a statement Wednesday opposing passage of the bill, and the White House put out a Statement of Administration Policy threatening a presidential veto if the LNG security provisions were included.

Allen was adamant in his opposition.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/defense_coastguard_bill_042308/