From the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO:
Appearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on January 21, U.S. Transportation Secretary Designee Pete Buttigieg stated, “Yes, I share your support for the Jones Act.”
The Biden-appointee was responding to a question from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) regarding the nation’s freight cabotage law.
“Sometimes it gets under attack, but I want to just hear that you support the Jones Act,” Cantwell asked Buttigieg during his confirmation hearing.
“It is so important to the maritime industry that it creates hundreds of thousands of jobs, as well as a shipbuilding industry here in the U.S.” declared the former South Bend, IN, mayor to the senator.
“We look forward to working with Mayor Buttigieg when he takes over the helm at the Department of Transportation,” noted MTD President Michael Sacco. “Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have shown their solid support for the U.S. Merchant Marine during their years in elective office in Washington. We expect their continued
backing of the men and women who work aboard U.S.-flag vessels while the two of them serve in the White House.”
In addition, Biden appointed longtime congressional staffer Lucinda Lesley as Deputy Maritime Administrator.
Lesley has been the Senior Investigator for the House Homeland Security Committee. She had served on the professional staff for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) as well as on the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
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