For years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have complained about the U.S. falling behind Russia and China in the Arctic. The Republican-led budget reconciliation bill is set to change that in a big way.
The latest version of H.R. 1, which passed the Senate on Tuesday, would provide billions to significantly expand a fleet of Coast Guard vessels, known as cutters, to patrol the coldest parts of the world. The largest of those vessels are designed to break through 20-foot-thick ice.
That windfall has been met with enthusiasm even though the program to build the cutters has suffered through delays, cost overruns and questions about contracting. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) cited the “historic investment and modernization of the Coast Guard,” in a statement after voting for the bill Tuesday.
At a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing in June, the top Coast Guard official said the GOP-led bill would be a big help. “The polar icebreaker program is our highest acquisition priority,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard acting commandant.
