Baldwin Successfully Lobbies Biden for Great Lakes Icebreaker Funding
Baldwin called on Biden administration to boost Great Lakes Icebreaker funding in December, part of long history of fighting for increased icebreaking capacity
WISCONSIN – Senator Tammy Baldwin is applauding President Biden for heeding her calls and including $55 million in funding in his Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget to advance the acquisition of a new United States Coast Guard (USCG) Great Lakes Heavy Icebreaker. The USCG has also requested a subsequent $20 million to expedite the procurement of the parts needed to construct the icebreaker. Senator Baldwin has long advocated for resources for an additional icebreaker to support Wisconsin’s maritime economy, most recently calling on the administration to include at least $40 million in his 2024 annual budget in December 2022. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin will be working to secure these funds in the Senate’s FY 2024 funding legislation.
As Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing, with jurisdiction over the USCG, Senator Baldwin successfully negotiated the inclusion of her bipartisan Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which authorized $350 million for the acquisition of a new Great Lakes Heavy Icebreaker. The new Great Lakes Heavy Icebreaker will strengthen icebreaking capacity and increase year-round commerce on the Great Lakes. The bill will also create a database specific to icebreaking operations, including unsuccessful attempts to transit during ice season because of inadequate icebreaking.
An online version of this release is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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