HOUSE VOTES TO INCREASE U.S. COAST GUARD BUDGET
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation authorizing $5.4 billion for U.S. Coast Guard programs and operations for fiscal year 2002.
The House-passed budget is $300 million more than the Bush Administration’s request and represents an $845-million increase over fiscal 2001.
The funding will allow the Coast Guard to address 'chronic operational shortfalls and restore lawl enforcement operations, especially vital drug interdiction in the maritime transit zones,' said Rep. Don Young, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.