Congressman Garamendi Holds Hearing to Reinvigorate the American Maritime Industry.

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), the Ranking Member of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, championed the American maritime industry and workers at a subcommittee hearing. Tomorrow at 10 AM ET, the Congressman will speak at the U.S. Department of Transportation along with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for observance of National Maritime Day and a wreath laying ceremony. Congressman Garamendi promoted Maritime Day in a joint op-ed with Rear Admiral Thomas Cropper, President of California State University's Maritime Academy, who served as U.S. Navy Commander for Strike Force Training in the Pacific.

At this morning's Subcommittee Hearing, "Maritime Transportation: The Role of U.S. Ships and Mariners," Ranking Member Garamendi and Chairman Duncan Hunter asked expert witnesses about the best path forward for the industry. Click here to read Congressman Garamendi's opening statement.

"From colonial times to the present, the maritime sector has been vital to the defense of our nation and to the strength of our economy," said Congressman John Garamendi. "90 percent of global trade moves by ships and 95 percent of American military cargo is transported by ships. Tomorrow, on National Maritime Day, we will honor the work of mariners and the sacrifice of American military servicemembers who served and continue to serve our nation on the high seas."

Garamendi added, "Today's hearing pointed out the challenges and potential fixes for maritime transportation -- as well as demonstrating its importance. We should take steps to enhance and grow cargo for American ships. We can do that by enforcing the Jones Act and other Buy American and cargo preference requirements. Additionally, by lifting sequestration, we can remove budget uncertainty and restore funding for valuable maritime business and defense operations, especially the Maritime Security Program which provides invaluable sealift capability to support our troops deployed overseas. I will continue to advocate for a better environment for maritime transportation to succeed and, from the bottom of my heart, I thank our mariners for their work."

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