SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE PASSES MURPHY PROVISION TO KEEP COAST GUARD BAND IN NEW LONDON

WASHINGTON— Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed a provision authored by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) to prohibit the relocation of the U.S. Coast Guard Band to Washington, DC. In September 2015, it was reported that Vice Admiral Charles D. Michel, the U.S. Coast Guard’s 30^th Vice Commandant, had assembled a working group to explore the “costs and logistics” of moving the band to Washington, DC. The 55-member Coast Guard has called New London home for more than 90 years.

“Moving the Coast Guard band from New London to DC never made sense,” said Murphy. “Since its founding, the band has called New London home. Today marks an important step in our effort to make sure it stays this way.”

The Coast Guard, which has one band, is the only branch of the Armed Forces without a band in Washington. Murphy’s provision was included in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which the committee passed today. Murphy is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.