At a U.S. House Homeland Security Committee hearing this week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, R-Fla., stressed the important role the United States Coast Guard (USCG) plays in the Arctic and warned of “increasing threats from Russia and Communist China.”
Giménez, who leads the U.S. House Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, asked questions to Vice Admiral Peter Gautier, the Deputy Commandant for Operations of the U.S. Coast Guard; Acting-Assistant Secretary for Trade and Economic Security, Department of Homeland SecurityChrista Brzozowski; and Chelse Kenney, the Director of International Affairs and Trade, Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“The United States, by way of Alaska, is one of eight Arctic countries. The Arctic’s abundant natural resources, rich fishing waters, shipping routes, and the opportunity for future development make the region vital to the United States’ national security interests,” said Giménez.
“The U.S. Coast Guard, as the sole operators of America’s icebreaking fleet, is the primary enforcer responsible for protecting American sovereignty in the Arctic region. As Communist China and Russia work to expand their military and economic interests in the Arctic, I look forward to working to empower the Coast Guard to ward off any malign influences in the region,” he added.
