Funds for new icebreaker tucked in defense-spending bill

A U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday approved a bill that includes $1 billion for the Coast Guard vessel.

A U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday approved a defense-spending bill that includes $1 billion for a new Coast Guard heavy icebreaker, which could come on line as soon as 2022.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, had been advocating to increase the U.S. ice-breaking capacity for national security and also to help with commerce in a changing Arctic that has more maritime traffic.

The House passed a defense-appropriations bill earlier this month that did not include the icebreaker, so any funding for the vessel would have to be worked out in joint conference.

The Senate Defense Appropriations subcommittee bill also includes $2 million in funding for noise reduction for the EA-18G Growler Aircraft, which are stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and $12 million for two Mark VI Patrol Boats manufactured by SAFE boats of Tacoma, according to statement released by Murray.

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