Chair DeLauro, Admiral Schultz Visit Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound and Sikorsky
Visit Follows DeLauro Led Appropriations Subcommittee Passage of FY22 Homeland Security Funding Bill, Including an Increase of $327.8 Million Above FY21 Enacted Level
![Chair DeLauro with Admiral Schultz, Captain Van Camp, Members of USCG](/sites/evo-subsites/delauro.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/Picture1.jpg)
Chair DeLauro with Admiral Schultz, Captain Van Camp, Members of USCG
NEW HAVEN, CT — House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Karl L. Schultz yesterday toured USCG Sector Long Island Sound led by USCG Captain Eva Van Camp. During the visit, DeLauro met with members of the Coast Guard to discuss the service member's needs and how the federal government could best support their efforts. DeLauro heard from Coast Guard members on infrastructure and vessel maintenance and challenges, work-life balance and family readiness, and recruitment and retention of service members.
Following the USCG Sector Long Island Sound visit, DeLauro and Schultz toured Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company. At Sikorsky Aircraft, CEO of Lockheed Martin Jim Taiclet, Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo, Executive Vice President of Rotary and Mission Systems Stephanie Hill, and Vice President of Strategy Nathalie Previte, and Vice President of Operations at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation George Mitchell led DeLauro and Schultz on a tour of the facility and a discussion on the importance of federal investments in United States service members and their families and ensuring U.S. defense equipment is manufactured in Connecticut.
"The eye-opening tours and conversations today at both USCG Sector Long Island Sound and Sikorsky filled me with pride," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "It was a privilege to meet Admiral Karl L. Schultz, a native of East Hartford, and Captain Eva Van Camp and speak with the women and men working to protect our nation and build a brighter tomorrow. I am proud to be a steadfast partner of the Coast Guard. As Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, which funds the USCG, I know a strong Coast Guard is essential to protect our national security. The Coast Guard is essential in responding to everything from Russian aggression in the Arctic to the COVID-19 pandemic. And this year has made it clear historic investments are needed to expand the reach of the Coast Guard to better address foreign threats, including Russian aggression in the Arctic and the maritime drug and transit zones. From additional air and sea assets to additional funding for personnel and families, operational readiness, and shore facilities, I am committed to providing long-overdue investments in the USCG."
"Excited to join House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro for a visit with Captain Eva Van Camp and her extraordinary team of Sector Long Island Sound professionals performing multi-mission Coast Guard duties across Long Island Sound," said Admiral Karl Schultz. "Our Connecticut visits also included a stop at Sikorsky Aircraft, manufacturer of the MH-60J ‘Jayhawk' helicopter, the workhorse of our rotary wing fleet. A Sikorsky helicopter will be prominently featured in the foyer of the National Coast Guard Museum being built in New London."
"I want to thank both Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, for visiting us at Sikorsky yesterday," said President of Sikorsky Paul Lemmo. "Sikorsky's relationship with the Coast Guard began in 1943 and remains strong today. Thanks to the continued support of Congresswoman DeLauro that relationship continues to grow stronger every year."
![DeLauro Visits Sikorsky](/sites/evo-subsites/delauro.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/Sikorsky.png)
Chair DeLauro, Admiral Schultz, President Lemmo at Sikorsky
Yesterday, the USCG ordered five replacement hulls to sustain its fleet of 45 venerable MH-60T Jayhawks for $34 million. This brings the total order to 30 hulls for $243 million.
"I thank Captain Eva Van Camp for organizing today's visit to Sector Long Island Sound and George Mitchell for leading the tour of Sikorsky Aircraft," DeLauro continued. "I thank the brave women and men of the United States Coast Guard – serving on the crew of Sector Long Island Sound – who live up to its motto: ‘Endeavor for Excellence Through People, Professionalism and Partnerships.' I look forward to the USCG replacing their fleet in the future with world-renowned Sikorsky helicopters and to continuing our steadfast partnership."
![Captain Van Camp and Chair DeLauro Speak with Members of USCG](/sites/evo-subsites/delauro.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/Picture2.jpg)
Captain Van Camp and Chair DeLauro Speak with Members of USCG
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which determines funding for the United States Coast Guard, approved the fiscal year 2022 spending bill on June 30. This spending legislation includes $13.17 billion for the Coast Guard, an increase of $327.8 million above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and $301.3 million above the request. This funding bill is expected to pass the full House Appropriations Committee on July 13.
A summary of the Fiscal Year 2022 Homeland Security Funding bill is here.
![Admiral Schultz, Captain Van Camp, and Chair DeLauro with Members of USCG](/sites/evo-subsites/delauro.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/Picture3.jpg)
Admiral Schultz, Captain Van Camp, and Chair DeLauro with Members of USCG
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