Click Here to Watch

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today participated in a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the nomination hearing for Admiral Kevin Lunday to be the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. The transcript is lightly edited for clarity.

“Admiral Lunday, the experience of serving in Junior Reserve Officer Training (JROTC) Corps programs has real benefits. A RAND Corporation study found that students who participate in JROTC have higher grades, better attendance rates, and are more likely to graduate from high school than other students. Mississippi was pleased to welcome the Coast Guard’s first JROTC program in the state at Clinton High School in 2023. This is in the heartland district of the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is congressionally required to have a JROTC program in every district by December 1^st of this year. In 2025, the Senate-passed Coast Guard Authorization Act included a provision directing the Coast Guard to expand JROTC to no fewer than 20 programs by the end of 2026. There are currently 14 programs. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you to get to 14 programs to 20 programs by the end of next year. Would you comment on that?” asked Senator Wicker.

“The Junior ROTC programs are great programs, and I know the one at Clinton High School is one of our largest with the greatest participation of many others. I'm proud to tell you that we are ahead of schedule and establishing a Coast Guard Junior ROTC program in every one of the Coast Guard districts. And if confirmed by the Senate, I will work to complete the requirement by the end of 2026, as you describe it,” replied Admiral Lunday.

“That's good to hear. It is a citizenship builder, for sure. Let’s move on to Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. It’s a real problem. Admiral Paparo commended the Coast Guard for its service in his area of the world in that regard. Do you believe the Coast Guard is serving U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific by combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing?” asked Senator Wicker.

“Thank you, Senator. I do. This is a topic I've actually talked personally with Admiral Paparo about. Combating IUU fishing is not just one of our statutory missions. It's actually a national security issue—particularly, pushing back against the malign influence of China and their distant water fleets. Throughout the Indo-Pacific, we see those fleets encroaching on Pacific Island Nations—even on the high seas, violating international rules about illegal fishing—and we don't always have the capability to push back. And we are responsible for protecting our sovereignty. We also help Pacific Island nations. who don't have the capability through our ship writer agreements. So yes Sir, it’s of critical importance,” replied Admiral Lunday.

“It's a bit of good news that Amtrak has opened the Mardi Gras service between New Orleans, going across the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, and on to Mobile. Passenger participation has been through the roof, outstripping every optimistic projection we've had. So it's very good news. One lingering issue concerns CSX's effort to remotely operate several drawbridges in Alabama and Mississippi. This company has invested nearly $60 million in safety and automation upgrades to run a remote pilot during the pandemic. Yet they've been working for the last 5 years for full automation approval from the Coast Guard. If confirmed, would you be willing to work with me to resolve this issue and ensure the process better supports minor rail infrastructure while maintaining navigational safety?” asked Senator Wicker.

“Senator, I'm aware of the issue. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working with you to resolve that issue,” replied Admiral Lunday.  

“I think if we work together, we can get that resolved. The automation is ready, and we need to find a way to yes. So thank you very much for that assurance,” concluded Senator Wicker.