Securing LNG Facilities - Coast Guard Authorization Bill Triggers DC Fight

Busy week in Washington, D.C. with a big fight between Congress and the Administration over whether the Coast Guard should be responsible for securing Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facilities or whether that cost is properly paid by the facility owner.  The White House threatened a veto.  The Commandant of Coast Guard issued a statement as did the Office of Management and Budget (OMB),  here.

A side note in the bill is the transfer of the Administrative Law Judges from the Coast Guard to the National Transportation Safety Board.  These ALJ's handled merchant marine licensing suspension and revocation matters. 

The House, not fazed by the White House threat of veto, passed the bill.