b'LEGISLATIVE REPORTLEGISLATIVE PVA Urges Support for Programs That Bolster Domestic ShipbuildingRICHARD PATCH // LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORW hiletheofficialbusi- In addition to its policy responsibili- bySenatorsMarkKellyofArizona ness of the federal gov- ties, MARAD administers programsandToddYoungofIndiana,which ernmentslowedtoathatdirectlybenefitthepassengerwouldestablishanationalmaritime crawl during the gov- vesselindustry,includingtheSmallstrategy to Title XI vessel financing, ernmentshutdown,theU.S.SenateShipyard Grant Program, which pro- and the addition of 250 U.S.-flagged CommitteeonCommerce,Science,vides essential funding for infrastruc- commercial vessels over the next de-andTransportationanditsSubcom- ture upgrades, equipment purchases,cade.Thebillalsoproposesstream-mittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, andand workforce training at small andlined mariner credentialing, expanded Fisheriesdedicatedvaluablehearingmedium-sized U.S. shipyards. Theseworkforce training, and the creation timetomaritimeissuesthatmattergrants strengthen Americas maritimeof a maritime security advisor within deeply to PVA members and commer- industrialbaseandsustainskilledthe White House.cial mariners across the industry. jobs in coastal and inland communi-ties nationwide. Inajointstatement,SenatorsKelly MARAD LEADERSHIP ANDandYoungsaid:Todayshearing THE MARITIME ACTION PLAN REVIVING COMMERCIALmade clear that there is growing, bi-ThecommitteefirstconvenedtoSHIPBUILDING partisan momentum to rebuild Amer-considerthepresidentsnominationLater in the month, the Subcommit- ican shipbuilding, which will be good ofStephenCarmeltoleadtheU.S.teeonCoastGuard,Maritime,andfor our economy and national securi-DepartmentofTransportationMar- FisheriesheldahearingtitledSeaty. Well keep working with maritime itime Administration (MARAD). AChange: Reviving Commercial Ship- leaders to pass our bill and revitalize graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marinebuilding. The discussion focused onour shipbuilding industry.Academy and a licensed master by ageways to modernize and expand both 26, Mr. Carmel received broad biparti- commercialandnavalshipbuildingThehearingalsotouchedonthe san praise from senators. Senator Markwhilereinforcingthebroadermari- Trump Administrations forthcoming Kelly(D-Ariz.),himselfaMerchanttimeindustrialbase.AlinktoviewMaritime Action Plan (MAP), expect-Marine Academy graduate, remarked,the hearing can be found here.ed to reinforce domestic shipbuilding, WeneedleadersatMARADwhoimpose new port fees on foreign-built canhitthegroundrunningondayPVA submitted written testimony tovessels, and expand ship construction one. I believe Steve Carmel is the rightthecommitteeemphasizingitssup- for the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and leader for this moment. port for Americas small shipyards, ascommercial operators.well as its long-standing advocacy for If confirmed, Mr. Carmel would leadtheSmallShipyardGrantProgram,THE ROLE OF SMALL AND an agency that will play a central rolethe Jones Act, and the Passenger Ves- MID-SIZED SHIPYARDSin implementing the administrationssel Services Act (PVSA)each a cor- PVAsstatementunderscoredthat MaritimeActionPlan,ablueprintnerstone of the U.S. passenger vesselU.S.-flaggedpassengervesselsare to rebuild domestic shipbuilding ca- industry.AlinktoPVAsstatementdesignedandbuiltalmostentirely pacity, strengthen the U.S.-flag fleet,can be found here. insmallandmid-sizeddomestic and expand maritime workforce de- shipyards,manyofwhicharefami-velopmentgoalsstronglysupport- At the center of the hearing was thely-owned businesses that anchor local ed by PVA. SHIPSforAmericaAct,sponsoredeconomies. Within PVAs membership FOGHORN 46'