[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 106 (Thursday, August 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND PROMOTIONAL REFORM ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 1994

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment offered 
by the chairman of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, Mr. 
Studds, to H.R. 4003, the Maritime Administration Authorization Act. 
This legislation would raise $1.35 billion over the next 10 years 
through an increase in existing tonnage fees collected from ships that 
arrive in U.S. ports. These revenues could then be used for direct 
assistance contracts under the proposed new shipbuilding and ship 
operating programs.
  Mr. Speaker, U.S. shipbuilders and operators are subject to higher 
standards for safety, health, and employment than their foreign 
counterparts.
  This, in combination with the subsidies that foreign yards receive, 
gives foreign operators a clear advantage because their vessels are 
less expensive to construct and operate. By voting ``yes'' on the 
Studds amendment, Congress has the opportunity to not only preserve, 
but to create, jobs for American seafaring and shipbuilding workers and 
to increase the competitiveness of the U.S.-flag commercial fleet. Over 
the last two decades, the number of U.S. ships in the merchant marine 
has been reduced from 798 to 385. This decline must be stopped. This 
amendment and the bill itself is an effort to ensure that the United 
States retains a merchant marine built in America, owned by Americans, 
and crewed and maintained by American sailors. I urge my colleagues to 
support the Studds amendment and vote for the passage of H.R. 4003.

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