Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman Carlos A. Giménez of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing today to discuss the significance of the Indo-Pacific region to U.S. national security interests. The hearing, titled "Projecting Presence & Power in Indo-Pacific Examination of USCG Contributions to Maritime Security," aimed to explore security threats in the region and highlight the crucial role of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in ensuring maritime security.
The Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, responsible for overseeing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Coast Guard, focuses on enhancing the security of U.S. transportation systems, passengers, cargo, airports, and ports, as well as safeguarding the maritime borders of the United States.
During the hearing, Chairman Giménez emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, which covers a vast portion of the globe and is home to more than half of the world's population. He stated, "The Indo-Pacific region spans a huge portion of the globe and includes more than half of the world’s population."
Highlighting the economic significance of the maritime domain in the region, Chairman Giménez explained, "The waters of the Pacific and Indian Ocean have facilitated global trade for centuries, and the shipping lanes through the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea remain critical to today’s economy." He added, "The Indo-Pacific region is crucial not only to the overall global economy but also to the safety, security, and wellbeing of American citizens."
The hearing, which can be viewed on YouTube and the Committee's website, featured a panel of witnesses who provided valuable insights on the topic. Among the witnesses were Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, USCG, Commander of the Pacific Area, United States Coast Guard; Brigadier General Neil R. Richardson, USAF, Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Policy, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Department of Defense; and Camille Dawson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State.
Chairman Giménez expressed his gratitude for the participation of the distinguished panel of witnesses, stating, "I am grateful that we are joined by a distinguished panel of witnesses who are prepared to speak about this work. Vice Admiral Tiongson, Brigadier General Richardson, and Deputy Assistant Secretary Dawson, thank you for testifying before the subcommittee this morning on this important topic. I look forward to your insights."
For those interested in further information, Chairman Giménez's opening remarks can be found in the full transcript of the hearing, available on the Committee's website. Additionally, Chairman Giménez's opening remarks can be watched on YouTube.
Congressman Carlos Giménez, the only Cuban-born Member of the 118th Congress, serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, and the Select Committee on China.
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