69–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 110–513 

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 

JANUARY 22, 2008.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

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 


ebenthall on PRODPC61 with HEARING
2 

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. 


ebenthall on PRODPC61 with HEARING
3 

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). 


ebenthall on PRODPC61 with HEARING
4 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 866 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


ebenthall on PRODPC61 with HEARING