WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement in response to President Biden announcing Admiral Linda Fagan to serve as the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG):
“Admiral Fagan is not only a qualified, outstanding leader with nearly four decades of Coast Guard experience, but she also is a trailblazer. Her historic nomination is a long overdue step in ensuring our armed forces’ leadership look more like our nation as a whole. I was honored to host Admiral Fagan in Sturgeon Bay last year to visit with members of the Coast Guard to discuss their critical icebreaking missions on the Great Lakes that support thousands of American jobs and millions in business revenue. Admiral Fagan has my full support and as chair of the Coast Guard’s oversight subcommittee, I look forward to working with my colleagues to get her confirmed as soon as possible. I am excited to work alongside her to better support Coast Guard members and veterans, ensure our nation’s maritime safety, and boost our icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes.”
Last week, Senator Baldwin, Chair of the Oceans Subcommittee which oversees the Coast Guard, led a letter to the Biden administration urging the prompt nomination of the 27th Commandant of the USCG, underscoring the importance of the position for national security, ocean shipping supply chain resiliency, and environmental protection.
Senator Baldwin hosted Admiral Fagan in Sturgeon Bay, WI in 2021 to meet with a USCG unit to discuss the unique challenges that units experience, such as access to affordable childcare and a shortage of housing options for Coast Guard members and families. Additionally, they talked about the Coast Guard’s icebreaking missions on the Great Lakes and the need for an additional Great Lakes Icebreaker to support our supply chains and the Made in Wisconsin economy.
Senator Baldwin has secured initial funding for an additional Great Lakes Icebreaker for the past six years. In 2021, Senator Baldwin reintroduced the Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act in the Senate, bipartisan legislation that will update the USCG’s icebreaking mission on the Great Lakes and increase the icebreaking capacity of the Great Lakes fleet.
An online version of this release is available here.
