A coastal women’s group based in Newport is hopeful President Trump will not cut money from the United States Coast Guard. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, they’re concerned it could affect their local helicopter rescue unit. 
The pending budget request by the White House could lead to nearly $1.3 billion being cut from the Coast Guard’s budget ...potentially to help fund a border wall between Mexico and the U.S.
Jennifer Stevenson is President of the Newport Fishermen’s Wives. She says losing Newport’s Coast Guard helicopter would setback safety. 
“But thankfully our delegation…our senators and congressmen...recognize its huge service it provides for Oregonians and visitors, and the people it protects and rescues," says Stevenson.
"Our waters are extremely cold so you need a very quick response, which the Newport helo station provided numerous times.”
23 U.S. senators including Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are asking the Office of Management and Budget not to cut more than $1 billion from the Coast Guard.
Representative Peter DeFazio says the most recent Coast Guard Authorization Act keeps the Newport Air Station open at least through 2018.
Copyright 2017, KLCC.
