Garamendi among those to reintroduce SHIPS Act

FAIRFIELD — U.S. Rep.

John Garamendi, Sens. Mark Kelly and Todd Young and Rep. Trent Kelly on Tuesday reintroduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act.



“With China's growing influence in the global maritime sector, the United States can no longer afford to overlook our maritime industries. The SHIPS for America Act will give our shipyards and merchant mariners the tools they need to rebuild America’s maritime industry and create good-paying American jobs," Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said in a statement released through Sen. Kelly's office.

Garamendi has pushed for revamping the Mare Island shipbuilding history. There are currently 80 U.S.

-flagged vessels in international commerce while China has 5,500. The SHIPS for America Act aims to close this gap and boost the U.S.

, the statement said. "Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S.

maritime policy, making U.S.-flagged vessels commercially competitive in international commerce by cutting red tape, rebuilding the U.

S. shipyard industrial base, and expanding and strengthening mariner and shipyard worker recruitment, training, and retention," the statement added. Sen.

Kelly, D-Arizona, stated, "After decades of dangerously neglecting our shipbuilding industry, we’re finally doing something about it. The SHIPS for America Act is the most ambitious effort in a generation to revitalize the U.S.

shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries and counter China’s dominance over the oceans,. Kelly served in the U.S.

Navy and is the first U.S Merchant Marine Academy graduate to serve in Congress. “Building and staffing more U.

S.-flagged ships will create good-paying American jobs, make our supply chains more resilient, lower costs, and strengthen our ability to resupply our military at times of war. We’ll keep working with our colleagues in Congress, this administration, and our partners in the industry to make our country safer and competitive by passing the SHIPS for America Act.

” A press conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. today in Washington, D.

C..