NEWS RELEASE   Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure                                                                   Congressman John L. Mica, Ranking Republican   2163 Rayburn H.O.B.  Washington, D.C.  20515     202.225.9446     republicans.transportation.house.gov

For Immediate Release                                                                                        Contact: Justin Harclerode

January 9, 2009                                                                                                     (202) 226-8767

 

Rep. Frank LoBiondo Named Ranking Member of

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

 

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) was selected as the top Republican of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transprotation.  The announcement was made today by U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (FL-07), the Republican Leader of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  The Coast Guard Subcommittee is one of six subcommittees of the Transportation Committee.

 

“Congressman LoBiondo brings absolutely outstanding credentials and experience to the position of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Republican,” Mica said.  “He served as this panel’s chairman from 2000 to 2006, and is well-equipped to immediately jump into the issues of moving a delayed reauthorization of the U.S. Coast Guard, overseeing the service’s Deepwater modernization effort, and addressing the infrastructure needs of maritime transportation in the U.S.

 

“Representative LoBiondo will be responsible for leading Republicans on this important subcommittee with jurisdiction spanning the critical issues of transportation infrastructure and safety, commerce and the economy, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the country, and the security of our waters and coasts,” Mica said.

           

“First and foremost I want to thank Ranking Republican Mica for the opportunity and responsibility of being the lead voice on the Coast Guard Subcommittee,” said Congressman LoBiondo.  “Throughout my time on the subcommittee, I’ve sought to work with the men and women of the Coast Guard to modernize the Service and significantly improve the safety and security of the maritime transportation system.  This appointment has particular importance to my coastal district as it is home to thousands of servicemen and their dependents as well as significant installations in the Service.  I am honored to accept this position.”

 

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation has jurisdiction over the duties, organization, functions, and personnel of the United States Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Academy, the Coast Guard Reserve, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

 

The Coast Guard performs a variety of traditional missions, including search and rescue, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, oil spill prevention and response, marine safety, maintaining aids to navigation, icebreaking operations, enforcement of U.S. fisheries laws, and defense readiness.  Since September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard is also the lead agency responsible for maritime homeland security. 

 

A particularly significant issue of oversight involves the Coast Guard’s ongoing multi-year, multi-billion dollar program to modernize the service’s aging ships, aircraft and communications systems, known as the Deepwater program.

 

The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over regulation of ocean shipping and non-national security aspects of the merchant marine, including activities of the Federal Maritime Commission.

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