Capitol News

Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) have sent a bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), urging that at least one of the newly acquired icebreaker ships from Finland be allocated for use in the Great Lakes. The lawmakers praised the Trump administration for reaching an agreement with Finland to purchase up to 11 new icebreakers for U.S. use.

In their letter addressed to OMB Director Russell Vought, Barrett and Scholten stated, “It’s clear the Trump administration understands the significant role the United States Coast Guard (USCG) plays in protecting our nation, as well as how its fleet of icebreakers has proven insufficient to meet current operational demands in recent years. As the allocation and planning phase of this agreement takes shape, we respectfully urge you and your team at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure at least one of the newly procured icebreakers is planned for winter navigation on the Great Lakes.”

They further emphasized, “The Great Lakes can easily be overlooked by some as part of the Coast Guard’s mission. Relentless winters on the Great Lakes often result in heavy ice accumulation that only icebreakers can navigate through. Without these USCG vessels consistently patrolling the water border between the United States and Canada, our federal law enforcement will be unable to effectively deter border crossings year-round.”

On October 10, 2025, President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security announced an agreement with Finland for purchasing 11 Arctic Security Cutters for use by the U.S. Coast Guard. Funding for this $3.5 billion investment was secured through legislation known as Working Family Tax Cuts, which Barrett supported and was signed into law on July 4, 2025. Congressman Barrett is also a member of the House Great Lakes Task Force, which focuses on supporting both economic and environmental interests related to the Great Lakes.

A full copy of their letter is available online.