HOUSE LEGISLATION BOOSTS COAST GUARD’s HOMELAND DEFENSE MISSION

HOUSE LEGISLATION BOOSTS COAST GUARDÆS HOMELAND DEFENSE MISSION    The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that increases the Coast Guard’s ability to protect the country’s ports and waterways against terrorist attacks.
   The legislation also provides additional resources for the Coast Guard to combat drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
   The Coast Guard Authorization Act, H.R. 3507, authorized:
   * $5.9 billion for Coast Guard programs and operations in fiscal 2002.
   * $4.2 billion for Coast Guard operating expenses for fiscal 2002, including $623 million for domestic maritime homeland security requirements.
   * $717.8 million in fiscal 2002 for the Coast Guard’s acquisition, construction and improvement account, including $58.5 million for homeland security.
   * 44,000 Coast Guard active duty military personnel.
   “I urge our counterparts in the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible so that brave members of the Coast Guard can continue to protect our borders with the support that they require and deserve,” said Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman.