In response to action taken by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on their versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY ‘27 and the Administration sending to Congress their draft legislative proposals to advance its Maritime Action Plan, USA Shipbuilding Coalition President Michael Wessel released the following statement:
“The USA Shipbuilding Coalition welcomes the recent momentum for strengthening America’s maritime industrial base. The Administration’s legislative proposals, coupled with bipartisan proposals already on the table in the House and Senate, leave Congress with no excuse not to act. Securing our economic future and protecting our national security demands that we revitalize the American shipbuilding industry by investing in American shipyards, strengthening the maritime industrial base and ensuring that we have the mariners needed on our vessels.
“America’s maritime strength has been seriously weakened by decades of neglect. While China invested, planned, and expanded its shipyards, we allowed critical maritime capabilities to erode. We failed to counter China’s predatory actions, and we failed to make the investments necessary to maintain our own maritime advantage. That era of inaction has lasted far too long – but it ends now.
“Revitalizing our maritime strength requires significant action. To rebuild a durable maritime industrial base, several elements are essential: the creation of a Maritime Trust Fund; substantial support for shipyard modernization and expansion; incentives to accelerate domestic construction of new vessels; investments in the workforce – from suppliers and shipyards to the mariners who operate our ships; and policies that promote the use of American-made materials, American-built vessels, and American crews.
“Rebuilding these capabilities will be a long-term effort, and the policies supporting that effort must be durable. Companies and workers need confidence that today’s commitments will be matched by sustained national support, giving them the certainty required to make long-term investments in facilities, equipment, and people.
“Over the past year and a half, the Administration and Congress have both offered comprehensive agendas to revitalize these sectors. Democrats and Republicans are leading together. Labor and management have joined together in an expanding effort through the USA Shipbuilding Coalition. This level of broad support, particularly in the current political climate, should help fuel significant action. The path forward is clear. The time to act is now. Let’s get it done.”
