[House Report 110-513]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-513
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HONORING THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD WHOSE
TIRELESS WORK, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE UNITED
STATES HAVE LED TO THE COAST GUARD SEIZING OVER 350,000 POUNDS OF
COCAINE AT SEA DURING 2007, FAR SURPASSING ALL OF OUR PREVIOUS RECORDS
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January 22, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
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Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 866]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 866) honoring the brave
men and women of the United States Coast Guard whose tireless
work, dedication, and commitment to protecting the United
States have led to the Coast Guard seizing over 350,000 pounds
of cocaine at sea during 2007, far surpassing all of our
previous records, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon without amendment and recommend that the resolution be
agreed to.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 866 recognizes the brave men and women of the
Unites States Coast Guard for their tireless work and
dedication which has led to them seizing over 350,000 pounds of
cocaine at sea in 2007, surpassing all previous records.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The United States Coast Guard (``USCG'') is the smallest of
the seven uniformed services of the United States, with a
mission to protect the public, the environment, and the United
States economic and security interests in international waters
and along America's coasts, ports, and inland waterways.
The Coast Guard has a 217-year legacy of border protection
and maritime law enforcement. In addition to the Coast Guard's
other safety and security duties, the service also conducts the
dangerous duty of drug interdiction.
In calendar year 2007, the Coast Guard seized more than
350,000 pounds of cocaine at sea. The street value of this
seizure was more than $4.7 billion. This amount is nearly one-
half of the Coast Guard's annual budget.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 866 honors the men and women of the United States
Coast Guard for their tireless work and dedication to
protecting the United States. The resolution also recognizes
the Coast Guard for seizing over 350,000 pounds of cocaine at
sea in 2007, with an estimated street value of more than $4.7
billion, which surpasses all of the Coast Guard's previous drug
interdiction records.
H. Res. 866 acknowledges that the Coast Guard's at-sea drug
interdictions are reducing the supply of cocaine in more than
35 major U.S. cities, making a positive difference in the lives
of American citizens. The resolution also recognizes that the
Coast Guard works with a robust interagency team and
international partners that have contributed to the seizure of
more than two million pounds of cocaine in the past ten years.
H. Res. 866 commends the men and women of the Coast Guard,
who are away from their families while they tirelessly work to
execute the service's mission. The resolution acknowledges that
the dedication and selfless service to protect the Nation and
the American people is done by the men and women of the Coast
Guard without want of public recognition.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On December 11, 2007, Representative Howard Coble
introduced H. Res. 866.
On January 16, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session, and ordered H. Res. 866
reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum
present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires each committee report to include the total number of
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter,
and the names of those members voting for and against. There
were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering H.
Res. 866 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 866 reported
favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a
quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 866
is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore
does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost
associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2008, or for
any fiscal year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance
goals and objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is
required.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding. Neither a cost estimate nor comparison for
any measure that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Res. 866 does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, H. Res. 866 is a resolution of the
House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force
of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Res. 866 contains no Federal mandates.
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 866 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
resolution.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Res. 866 makes no changes in existing law.