Coons objects to Sullivan request to pass H.R.4188, Coast Guard; Senate in morning business until 6:00pm

Senator Coons objected to the request.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 6:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Unofficial Transcript:

COONS: MR. PRESIDENT, I OBJECT. AND IF I MIGHT BRIEFLY

EXPLAIN --

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE OBJECTION IS HEARD. MR. COONS:

EXCUSE ME?

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE OBJECTION IS HEARD. MR. COONS: MR.

PRESIDENT?

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE.

COONS: LET ME BRIEFLY IF I MIGHT EXPLAIN THE BASIS FOR MY

OBJECTION. I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER WITH

MY COLLEAGUE FROM THE STATE OF ALASKA. THE CRUISE INDUSTRY

FOREIGN FLAGS ITS VESSEL AND PAYS NO U.S. INCOME TAX AND YET

HAS ASKED FOR PROTECTIONS IN THIS BILL FROM REMEDIES SOUGHT BY

SEA MEN FOR FAILING TO PAY WAGE AND OVERTIME AND FOR

MAINTENANCE IN REMEDIES AND CARE ONE OF THE OLDEST RECOGNIZED

REMEDIES FOR SEA CARE. THESE KEEP THE U.S. VESSELS COMPETITIVE.

U.S. ENSURE WORKERS ON U.S. VESSELS AND FOREIGN FLAG VESSELS

WHICH L SAIL IN AND OUT OF OUR PORTS CARRYING U.S. PASSENGERS

HAVE THE SAME REMEDIES. CAN U.S. JOBS BE PROTECTED?

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE WITH THE SENATOR

FROM ALASKA, AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK DILIGENTLY

TOGETHER TO ADDRESS AND CLEAR ISSUES OF CONCERN TO MYSELF AND A

NUMBER OF OTHERS OF MY COLLEAGUES. BUT UNTIL WE HAVE THAT

OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE TEXT

TO APPROPRIATELY RESOLVE CONCERNS THAT ARISE UNDER THE JONES

ACT AND FOR THE LONG-STANDING WORKERS COMPENSATION-TYPE BENEFIT

I DESCRIBED CALLED MAINTENANCE AND CURE, MY OBJECTION WILL STAND