Ranking Member Blunt Rochester Highlights the Importance of the Blue Economy

"What I'm hoping to get out of today's hearing is a bipartisan path forward to better support our coastal communities and improve our national and economic security."

Click here to watch Senator Blunt Rochester's Remarks

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, today led her fellow Democrats at a hearing titled "The Blue Economy: Advancing American Fisheries, Maritime Strength, And Coastal Economies." She discussed the Blue Economy's importance to coastal communities, like Delaware, for driving local innovation and opportunity. Senator Blunt Rochester's questions focused on the Trump administration's attempts to lessen the maritime industry's economic impact, including cuts to port infrastructure funding and efforts to undermine U.S. global competitiveness with a prolonged Jones Act waiver.

Senator Blunt Rochester's full remarks and exchange can be found here.

Senator Blunt Rochester's opening statement, as delivered, is below:

"Thank you, Chairman Sullivan, and thank you so much to our witnesses for being here. We look forward to your testimony. Delaware may be small, [Senator Sullivan] mentioned that you have millions of lakes, and our colleague from Minnesota has 1000s of lakes, we have 10s of lakes. We're small, but we're mighty, we are urban, suburban, rural, and coastal, and because of that, this conversation is particularly important to my state, as well as our country, because coastal communities like the ones that call Delaware home rely on the maritime or blue economy. My home state sits on the Atlantic Ocean between the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, putting us in a perfect location to drive innovation and opportunity in the blue economy, and we do.

"The University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College collaborate on groundbreaking maritime marine research, underwater robotics, and coastal infrastructure. Our growing aquaculture industry continues to create new jobs while providing healthy, sustainable sources of food. Thanks to funding from a port infrastructure development program grant, the Port of Wilmington is about to begin an historic expansion that will quadruple its capacity, and millions of visitors head to the first state each year to enjoy our pristine beaches, bays, and coastline.

"All told, Delaware's coastal economy supports over 100,000 jobs, generates over $22 billion in economic output, and is growing over five times faster than the rest of our state. But this isn't unique to my state. The blue economy is a huge driver of economic growth and job creation across the United States. NOAA estimates that the marine economy contributes over a half a trillion dollars in GDP annually.

"Unfortunately, the administration has stifled and, in some cases, refused to provide our coastal communities with the support they need to thrive. Proposed NOAA budget cuts of over $1 billion which will undercut the agency's critical mission to support sustainable fisheries and give coastal communities the tools they need to thrive. The administration terminated or withdrew roughly $672 million in port infrastructure development grants meant to support the offshore wind industry, delaying critical investments in my state and the expansion of cheap and sustainable energy at a time when Americans need it most. They pushed an unprecedented Jones Act waiver that will further undermine American shipping competitiveness, while doing little to address the inflation and energy crisis Americans are experiencing.

"While this administration has correctly identified our vulnerability to Chinese-made port equipment, they imposed tariffs without any plan to support domestic industries and bring critical manufacturing jobs home. So, while I commend the administration for trying to set a vision to maintain economic competitiveness and ensure national security, the actions that I have seen miss the mark for our country and our needs right now. We can all agree we need to invest in and grow our maritime industrial base, and what I'm hoping to get out of today's hearing is a bipartisan path forward to better support our coastal communities and improve our national and economic security. I look forward to the conversation, and I yield back."