CG base backlog bill introduced

U.S. Reps. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) introduced the Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure Improvement Act bipartisan legislation June 12 to help reduce and better manage a maintenance backlog for Coast Guard shore infrastructure. A Government Accountability Office report in February found 45 percent of Coast Guard shore assets have exceeded their services lives, and the service has at least $2.6B in project backlogs. “With an aging fleet and facilities that are falling apart, the Coast Guard’s readiness is jeopardized,” said Rep. Graves. “This solution just makes sense” as it relates to taxpayer-spending and keeping “our Coasties focused on delivering the services our economy and national security depend upon.” The legislation would direct the commandant of the CG to develop a plan to standardize facility assessments, establish baseline measurements to track effectiveness of maintenance and repair investments, and implement GAO’s recommendations to better manage its maintenance projects. (Source: Work Boat 06/13/19)