[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 18 (Monday, January 30, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I submit for Members attention the 
following letter from myself and the chairman of the Committee on 
National Security, Mr. Spence, regarding jurisdiction.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, January 4, 1995
     Hon. Newt Gingrich,
     Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: As Chairmen of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
     National Security, we wanted to advise you of our mutual 
     agreement concerning the division of jurisdiction over the 
     merchant marine due to the dissolution of the Committee on 
     Merchant Marine and Fisheries. Rule X, clause 1(k) of the 
     Rules of the House for the 104th Congress provides 
     jurisdiction to the Committee on National Security over:
       ``(7) National security aspects of merchant marine, 
     including financial assistance for the construction and 
     operation of vessels, the maintenance of the U.S. 
     shipbuilding and ship repair industrial base, cabotage, cargo 
     preference, and merchant marine officers and seamen as these 
     matters relate to the national security.''
       The new Rule X, clause 1(q) provides the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure with jurisdiction over:
       ``(12) Measures relating to merchant marine, except for 
     national security aspects of merchant marine.''
       This split in jurisdiction in what was previously entirely 
     within the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries is 
     based on the fact that, while various aspects of the merchant 
     marine and related activities are transportation matters that 
     are handled in the executive branch by the Department of 
     Transportation, certain aspects are so closely tied to 
     national security that primary jurisdiction should be within 
     the Committee on National Security. For example, the 
     maintenance and control of the National Defense Reserve Fleet 
     and the Ready Reserve Fleet would be within the jurisdiction 
     of the Committee on National Security.
       However, it may not be clear in all cases to which of the 
     two Committees a particular bill should be referred. In 
     general, matters relating to merchant marine activities will 
     be referred to the National Security Committee if the 
     national security aspects of the matter predominate over 
     transportation and other merchant marine aspects.
       While present programs of the Maritime Administration have 
     both national security and transportation implications, we 
     agree that primary jurisdiction over the annual authorization 
     for the Maritime Administration would be in the Committee on 
     National Security. Primary jurisdiction over the annual 
     authorization for the Federal Maritime Commission would be in 
     the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
       Shipbuilding is a subject that has a particularly strong 
     connection with national security because of the implications 
     for our defense industrial base. We agree that the National 
     Shipbuilding Initiative, including the loan guarantee program 
     under Title XI, would be within the primary jurisdiction of 
     the Committee on National Security. In addition, the Congress 
     likely will be requested to approve legislation to implement 
     an international agreement to eliminate shipbuilding 
     subsidies worldwide. While this is generally a laudable goal, 
     the contents of this agreement must be examined in the 
     context of its long-term effect on the shipbuilding 
     industrial base. Of particular concern is the question of 
     whether U.S.-based shipyards are disadvantaged by this 
     agreement to the point that a transition from naval 
     construction to commercial construction is impossible. We 
     agree that, as between the Committees on National Security 
     and Transportation and Infrastructure, primary jurisdiction 
     over implementing legislation for this agreement should 
     reside with the Committee on National Security.
       Jurisdiction over the State and Federal Maritime Training 
     Academies is granted in the rule specifically to the 
     Committee on National Security. With respect to the provision 
     in Rule X, clause 1(k)(9) concerning merchant marine officers 
     and seamen, it is understood that measures whose predominant 
     purpose is the maintenance of a well trained merchant mariner 
     manpower pool capable of meeting sustainment and surge 
     sealift requirements will be within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on National Security. Shortages of qualified U.S. 
     mariners to serve during the mobilization for Desert Storm 
     highlighted the need to consider these problems from a 
     national security standpoint.
       Jurisdiction over the Coast Guard is provided to the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by Rule X, 
     clause 1(q)(1). This confers upon the Transportation and 
     Infrastructure Committee authority over all matters handled 
     by the Coast Guard that were previously within the 
     jurisdiction of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee.
       This letter may not address all merchant marine issues that 
     will come before you. We will continue to work with you 
     toward resolution of other issues as they arise.
       Finally, it is understood that this agreement does not in 
     any way alter or limit the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure or of the Committee on 
     National Security over matters discussed herein which were 
     properly within the respective Committees' jurisdiction prior 
     to the dissolution of the Committee on Merchant Marine and 
     Fisheries.
           Sincerely,
     Floyd D. Spence,
       Chairman, Committee on National Security.
     Bud Shuster,
       Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

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