http://appropriations.senate.gov/ne...b30b0c46f2

Here is part of the summary that I was really excited about!

• $6.971 billion for operating expenses, $165.3 million above FY 2010 and $65.3 million above the request. The bill rejects the Administration’s proposal to reduce Coast Guard billets by 1,112, decommission five ships when only two new vessels are available to replace them, and to eliminate other assets. The bill restores $40.8 million and 876 military billets to maintain key assets and activities proposed for elimination in the President’s budget, including: two high endurance cutters; five Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams in New York/New Jersey, Kings Bay, Georgia; New Orleans, San Francisco, and Anchorage, Alaska; five Coast Guard short-range helicopters; and two seasonal air facilities. The bill also includes $20 million and 176 billets above the request to improve Coast Guard oversight of the maritime industry, including offshore oil rigs; and $10 million above the request to address the Coast Guard’s maintenance backlog for its aging fleet.

Woot woot! I'm glad we are getting some funds to help out!

Awesome!! That is good to hear!

That's the Senate appropriations bill. There will also be a House appropriations bill. If the House agrees with the Senate, then it will go to the President who can sign it or veto it. If the House bill doesn't agree with the Senate bill, then there will be a conference committee to reconcile the two bills. Then both houses will have to vote on the compromise. If and only if both houses vote for it does it go to the President who, again, can sign it or veto it.

In short. It's only the first step. It's a good step, and I hope it holds up, but it could be undone with the stroke of a pencil anywhere along the way.