Wins- and More Work Ahead- in D.C.
While I wouldn’t describe it as a Christmas present, the planned mid-December introduction of the Ships for America Act in Congress is a great boost to the U.S. Merchant Marine as we navigate the winter holidays.
The bill’s co-sponsors are realistic about its path for advancement in the New Year – it’ll take a lot of work, and passage won’t happen overnight. But there is strong bipartisan backing for the bill, along with a growing awareness of our industry’s importance to national, economic and homeland security.
As you may have seen online, the SIU publicly supported the Ships for America Act upon introduction (very close to our press time). We are one of dozens of organizations and individual stakeholders that helped shape the bill as it went through draft revisions for more than a year. Personally, I find it an extraordinary piece of legislation that stands to revitalize, strengthen and sustain our nation’s maritime industry.
The Ships for America Act addresses critical gaps in shipbuilding, maritime workforce development, and the modernization of our commercial fleet. It is a bold step toward ensuring that the United States maintains a robust and competitive maritime presence, which is essential for both economic and national security.
In my 51 years of working in this industry, whether at sea or ashore, I have not seen any maritime legislation as comprehensive and impactful as the Ships for America Act. I have urged labor and industry leaders to join us in supporting this long-overdue bill, as it not only honors the legacy of our maritime industry but also paves the way for its future growth and sustainability.
At the same time, and as original co-sponsor Sen. Mark Kelly – a former U.S. Merchant Mariner – said shortly before the bill was introduced, I also remind everyone that this will be a process rather than an instant victory. Those of you who were sailing or otherwise following the industry back in the mid-1990s may remember how many pushes it took for us to help get the Maritime Security Act across the finish line. Similarly, and although this one was slightly before my time, the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 required a sustained and lengthy effort.
Notwithstanding those caveats, this is a huge opportunity for our industry. I sincerely thank Sen. Kelly, Sen. Todd Young, Rep. Trent Kelly and Rep. John Garamendi for introducing the bill, and I look forward to working for its passage.
We’ve got other good news to report from the nation’s capital, too. As part of this year’s Defense bill, both the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Tanker Security Program (TSP) will be extended five years, to 2040, when the bill passes (it has not yet done so as of press time), which is expected before the end of the year. I am proud to note that the SIU helped make it happen, particularly regarding the MSP. The MSP has been a foundational component of the U.S.-flag fleet since we helped secure passage of the aforementioned Maritime Security Act in 1996. The much-newer TSP promises to be a vital component moving forward.”
Collectively, these are timely examples of why we’re a politically active organization and always will be. Your jobs are directly dependent on federal laws (among other factors), and that’s why we’re always on the front lines in Washington, as well as staying active at the state and local levels of government.
Building on Success
As of this writing in mid-December, I am finishing my first full calendar year as president of our great union, and closing in on two years at the helm, total. I appreciate your supportiveness and I assure you that while no organization is perfect, we always strive to be proactive, responsive and supportive of the rank-and- file membership.
If you read our “year in review” article elsewhere in this edition, I think you’ll agree that we earned many successes in 2024, and we are well-positioned to build on them in the New Year and beyond. I remain confident in our union and our industry, and am ready to help keep us on the right course, with your continued backing.
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