[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE GROWING AMERICAN SHIPPING ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about 
the demise of the U.S. flag merchant marine and U.S. shipbuilding 
industry and to offer legislation to help revitalize these industries 
that are indispensable to the national security and economic interests 
of the United States.
  Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, often recognized as the most important 
American strategist of the 19th Century, argued persuasively that our 
national greatness was inextricably associated with our control of the 
sea in order to secure both our commercial and security interests. That 
concept is as relevant today as it was in Mahan's time.
  Our economic strength and national security today remain tethered to 
our ability to control the safety and security of the global supply 
chain. What has changed, however, is our vigilance in maintaining our 
commercial U.S. maritime industry.
  That must change and fortunately I see a way forward. The U.S. 
shipbuilding industry and U.S. natural gas market are strategic 
industrial and natural resources essential to U.S. national security 
interests. In fact, the U.S. maritime industry has been interwoven into 
the fabric of our economy and national security since the founding of 
our Republic and the establishment of our Continental Navy in 1775.
  Several factors explain why it is in the U.S. national interest to 
utilize the emerging coastwise and export trades for liquefied natural 
gas (LNG) to revitalize the U.S. flag.
  First, this newly available and abundant energy source would provide 
reliable, long-term markets for U.S. commercial shipbuilding and new 
trades for U.S. flag vessel operators. Second, the imminent LNG export 
trade might also provide the impetus to attract new capital investment 
to expand the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base which has declined in 
capacity and international competitiveness over the past forty years. 
And third, the LNG export trade could be used productively to 
strengthen U.S. strategic interests and alliances with LNG trading 
partners, especially Japan, South Korea and India.
  For these reasons, today I am introducing, along with my good friend, 
the Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Subcommittee, Congressman Duncan Hunter, legislation to provide a clear 
signal to the administration, maritime industry, energy industry, and 
our foreign trading partners that we in Congress intend to get serious 
about revitalizing our shipbuilding and maritime industries.
  The Growing American Shipping Act is straightforward legislation that 
would expand existing authority under section 306 of the Coast Guard 
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 and under the Deepwater Port 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1503(i)) to ensure that the trade in LNG--both the 
import and the export of LNG--benefits the U.S. maritime industry.
  This legislation, if enacted, would enhance U.S. national security 
and port safety by encouraging the transport of LNG on U.S. flag 
vessels. It would help maintain the skilled labor pool and 
technological and industrial infrastructure of the U.S. shipbuilding 
industry necessary to build and repair both military and commercial 
vessels. Furthermore, this legislation would ensure that vessels 
carrying LNG to or from the U.S. are crewed by credentialed U.S. 
mariners to reduce safety and security risks.
  This legislation has received robust support from a host of maritime 
stakeholders, including the Maritime Trades Department (AFL-CIO), 
Seafarers International Union (AFL-CIO), Transportation Institute, 
Shipbuilders Council, Navy League of the United States, American 
Maritime Officers, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA), 
International Association of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P), Maritime 
Institute for Research and Industrial Development (MIRAID), Marine 
Firemen's Union, Metal Trades Department (AFL-CIO), Sailors' Union of 
the Pacific, and American Maritime Congress.
  Again, this legislation builds on existing authority under the Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 and the Deepwater Port 
Act which specifically authorized the Secretary of Transportation to 
develop a program to promote the use of U.S. flag vessels in the 
importation of LNG to the United States. This legislation simply would 
amend each statute to expand the scope of these authorities to apply 
also to the LNG export trade.
  This legislation is a measured and reasonable step forward to 
revitalize our U.S. maritime industries, to support our economic and 
national security, and to begin the process of reclaiming our mantle as 
a great maritime nation. I urge members to join Chairman Hunter and 
myself in this effort.

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