NEWS
House Foreign Affairs Committee
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican
CONTACT:
Sam Stratman, (202) 226-7875, April 3, 2007
Lee Cohen, (202)
226-1139
For
IMMEDIATE Release
Ros-Lehtinen Urges Action to Solve Delay
in Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Program
Cites Urgency of Anti-Drug Interdiction Efforts in
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In a letter to Secretary Michael Chertoff,
Ros-Lehtinen praised the efforts of the Coast Guard and the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) in the record-breaking seizure and urged the Department of
Homeland Security to correct management failures in its acquisition program for
a new generation of Coast Guard cutters.
Ros-Lehtinen
said the March seizure of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of $300
million has exposed some long-standing problems with the $25 billion program to
modernize the aging fleet of Coast Guard cutters which is now underway.
In
public comments following the seizure, Admiral Thad W. Allen, Coast Guard
Commandant, reportedly complimented the hard working crews of the USCG cutter
involved in the seizure and said that the crew:“…overcame significant
challenges in maintaining a 40-year-old-deep-water cutter to prosecute
this mission far from U.S. shores.”
“We
are anxious to see more such operations to curb the global trade in narcotics
and to fight the terrorists who finance their deadly ambitions with drug
profits,” Ros-Lehtinen said.
“While
I applaud the Coast Guard’s success in using an antiquated 40-year-old
cutter, the Panamanian operation illustrates the vital importance of the ship
modernization program now entering its fifth year,” Ros-Lehtinen said in her
letter to Chertoff.
“The
challenge from drug traffickers, global terrorists, and human smugglers will
not be met by an aging fleet of cutters.
Last
month, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) described numerous problems
with the modernization effort. Problems with the design and performance of the
new ships, faulty cost controls and lack of contractor accountability have
contributed to significant delays in the rollout of the so-called Deepwater program.
Text
of the Ros-Lehtinen letter to Secretary Chertoff:
I
noted with great interest the successful maritime operation undertaken by the
These
drugs, which finance terrorism and murder in Colombia and corruption in
countries throughout the region, would have brought death and despair to our
own shores if not for the bravery and dedication of our Coast Guard which
intercepted the drug-laden ship off the coast of Panama. I am anxious to see
more such operations to curb the global trade in narcotics and the fight
against terrorists who finance their deadly ambitions with drug profits.
I
am concerned that this spectacular seizure has exposed some long-standing
problems with the $25 billion program to modernize the aging fleet of Coast
Guard cutters which is now underway. In The Washington Times account of the
seizure, Admiral Thad W. Allen, Coast Guard Commandant, especially complimented
the hard working crews of the USCG cutter involved in the seizure and said that
the crew:“…overcame significant challenges in maintaining a
40-year-old-deep-water cutter to prosecute this mission far from U.S.
shores.” While we applaud the Coast
Guard’s success in using an antiquated 40-year-old cutter, the Panamanian
operation illustrates the vital importance of the ship modernization program now
entering its fifth year.
The
challenge from drug traffickers, global terrorists, and human smugglers will
not be met by an aging fleet of cutters. America’s national security and
interests are being threatened, often at great distance from our shores, as we
were reminded last month off the coast of
As
you are fully aware, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has described
numerous problems with the modernization effort. Problems with the design and
performance of the new ships, faulty cost controls, and lack of contractor
accountability have contributed to significant delays in the rollout of the
so-called Deepwater program. I am concerned that
operational delays and schedule slippages have increased the risk of the Coast
Guard failing to meet its overall homeland security objectives in a timely and
fiscally-responsible manner.
While
the
The
American people need leadership and a firm plan of action from you as Secretary
of Homeland Security, which must address ways to improve program management,
strengthen contractor accountability, and promote cost control through
increased competition among contractors. Only then will these vessels get to
sea promptly and efficiently.
I
urge you and the Department to move expeditiously to resolve and repair these Deepwater problems and get our nation and its people the
kind of modern operational
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