Washington, DC - The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), will hold a hearing next week on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic strategy and its ability to implement Arctic operations. Government reports of recent years indicate priorities for U.S. focus in the Arctic include acquiring new heavy icebreakers, conducting surveys to improve nautical charts, improving communications capabilities, improving weather forecasting and modeling, constructing a deep-draft U.S. Arctic port(s), and developing community and regional emergency response networks in preparation for vessel and aircraft accidents and environmental impacts.  Since 2012, the Coast Guard has implemented Arctic Shield as part of the Administration’s overall Arctic strategy. A June report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the Coast Guard’s responsibilities, capabilities, and plans for the Arctic.  The GAO found positive results with the Coast Guard’s implementation of its strategy, in addition to some shortcomings in its efforts to assess its actions.  The GAO also noted limitations in the Coast Guard’s plans to acquire a new icebreaker and projected gaps in ice-breaking capabilities. The Subcommittee hearing, entitled, “Coast Guard Arctic Implementation Capabilities,” is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Witness List: ADM Charles Michel, Vice Commandant, United States Coast Guard Ms. Allison Stiller, Principal Civilian Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Research, Development and Acquisition, United States Navy, Department of Defense Ms. Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, United States Government Accountability Office Mr. Ronald O’Rourke, Specialist in Naval Affairs, Congressional Research Service Ms. Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic, Center For Strategic and International Studies Mr. Matthew O. Paxton, President, Shipbuilders Council of America