‘We Need to Get This Done’: Reps. Garamendi, Kelly & Maritime, Labor Leaders Call for SHIPS Act to Revitalize Maritime Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee; Congressman Trent Kelly (R-MS-01), Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Matt Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America, and Brian Schoeneman, Chairman of USA Maritime, held a joint press conference in support of the SHIPS for America Act to revitalize the maritime industry:

"Today, I am encouraged to see continued bipartisan consensus on the need to strengthen America's maritime industry. The SHIPS Act will do exactly that. We are committed to securing passage of this legislation and to continuing the vital work of revitalizing our maritime sector," said Congressman Garamendi. "Today's hearing on shipbuilding is an encouraging sign of growing bipartisan momentum and interest in both revitalizing our nation's shipbuilding industry and advancing the SHIPS Act. For over a year, we have seen promising progress, reflected in a growing coalition of supporters both on and off Capitol Hill, and we are confident that we can usher in a new era for American workers, shipbuilders, and our national security. I thank Chair Trent Kelly and the leadership on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, as well as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation for arranging this critical hearing."

"We are a great nation because we are a great maritime nation. But for years, we've fallen behind in providing the maritime industry with the resources it needs. If we want to restore America's maritime strength, it will take robust investment in our shipbuilding industry in both military and commercial. We need to put more American-built ships in the water-ships that carry goods, support our economy, and strengthen our security. We also must maintain those ships and ensure we have the workforce to crew and support U.S.-flagged vessels with American workers," said Congressman Kelly. "We must push Congress, the Administration, industry, and all stakeholders to get this bill across the finish line. Time is of the essence. We need to take decisive steps and get this done."

"American shipyards can and must build the fleet of the future right here at home, and the SHIPS for America Act is the catalyst we need to get us there," said Matt Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America. "By aligning a national maritime strategy with stable investment, this bipartisan legislation recognizes the national security impact of our industry and would allow us to effectively counter global distortions in the shipbuilding and ship repair markets. We have the momentum, the industry backing, and the urgency to restore American shipbuilding and ship repair, and we look forward to continuing our work with Rep. John Garamendi and Rep. Trent Kelly to see this critical mission through."

"The SHIPS for America Act represents the most meaningful maritime legislation in the last half century or more," said Brian Schoeneman, Chair of USA Maritime. "The critical need for a vibrant U.S. Merchant Marine and a revitalized American maritime industry is on display daily. We can't afford to wait any longer. It's time to get it done."

Representatives Garamendi and Kelly are co-authors of the SHIPS for America Act, comprehensive legislation designed to revitalize the United States' shipbuilding capacity and commercial maritime sector.

Since the introduction of the SHIPS for America Act in December, the urgency of strengthening the nation's shipbuilding capabilities has emerged as a matter of bipartisan priority. This focus has intensified following the USTR's findings regarding China's dominance in global shipbuilding, as well as President Trump's signing of a shipbuilding-related executive order and the subsequent release of the Administration's Maritime Plan.

Watch Rep. Kelly's remarks HERE, Rep. Garamendi's remarks HERE, and the full press conference HERE.

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