Barrett, Scholten Request Great Lakes Icebreaker Following Historic Agreement With Finland
Trump Administration Strikes Deal To Acquire 11 Next-Generation Ships To Support Coast Guard Mission
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) sent a bipartisan letter with Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) commending the Trump administration for reaching a historic agreement with Finland to acquire up to 11 new icebreaker ships for use in the United States. In their letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, the lawmakers requested that at least one of the newly procured icebreaker ships be allocated for the Great Lakes in an effort to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission, facilitate winter navigation on the Great Lakes, and secure the northern border.
“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,” the lawmakers wrote. “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.”
“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,” they continued. “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.”
Background:
On October 10, 2025, President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the United States had reached an agreement with Finland for the U.S. to purchase 11 Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
Funding for this $3.5 billion investment was secured as part of the Working Family Tax Cuts that Barrett helped pass and was signed into law on July 4, 2025. Barrett is also a member of the House Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan group working to ensure the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes.
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
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