The Day: U.S. House passes Coast Guard Authorization Bill, Including Provision Related To National CG Museum
The U.S. House late Thursday afternoon passed by voice vote the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, which includes a provision worked on by two of Connecticut's congressional delegates that would allow federal funding to support displays and exhibits, for example, inside the National Coast Guard Museum planned for downtown New London. That support, however, would not extend to the bricks and mortar aspects of the estimated $100 million project.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, worked with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., to secure a change to federal law "that expands the support the Coast Guard can provide for the development, construction and installation of exhibits and displays for the service's artifacts at the museums," a news release from Courtney's office said.
Wes Pulver, executive director of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, which is raising the money for the musuem, said by phone Thursday that he was "absolutely thrilled with the support from Connecticut's congressional delegtion to make this occur."
Pulver specifically mentioned Blumenthal, Courtney and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
"We are excited about the opportunity for federal support," he said.
A 2004 law prohibits the Coast Guard from using its federal funding to support the design and construction of the museum, and also limits the ability for the service to "support efforts to preserve and display artifacts from its 225-year history at the museum," the release said.
The measure will next be considered by the Senate.
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