Senate Committee
Senate Committee Approves Admiral Loy Nomination
The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs has approved the nomination of Admiral James Loy, USCG (ret) to be Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security. The nomination will go to the full Senate for consideration. Source: HK Law
Confirmation Hearing for Admiral Loy to be Deputy Secretary
The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs issued a Press Release discussing the confirmation hearing for Admiral James Loy, USCG (ret) to be the Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security. The Committee is expected to approve the nomination on Thursday and forward it to the full Senate for action. Source: HK Law
Senate Committee Approves Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved and forwarded to the full Senate the FY 2004 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The $28.5 billion measure includes $8.2 billion for border protection and enforcement, $5.4 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, and $6.8 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard. It specifically earmarks $12.1 million for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), $61
GoM Drilling Plan Advances
Legislation that would open part of the Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil and gas exploration easily cleared a Senate committee on March 8, but could face future hurdles placed by coastal lawmakers, MarketWatch reported. The Senate Energy Committee voted 16-5 to approve a proposal to open around 3 million acres in an area known as "Lease Sale 181" to oil and gas drilling. The area is projected to hold as much as 6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
Senate OKs Security Improvement Act of 2006
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) applauded the unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate to pass the Port Security Improvement Act of 2006 (H.R. 4954), welcoming the legislation as a comprehensive plan to improve maritime cargo and facility security and maintain an efficient flow of commerce through America’s ports. “Representatives of several Senate committees took components of the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act (S
Senate Hearing on Oil Spill Prevention
On March 4, the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety & Security of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation will conduct an oversight hearing on Protecting our Shores from Oil Spills. Source: HK Law
Hearing on Security of Terminal Operations
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation conducted a Hearing on Security of Terminal Operations at US Ports. The purpose of the hearing was to examine the possible security implications of acquisition by Dubai Ports World of P&O Ports. Senator Stevens (R-AK) pointed out that federal agencies, such as the Coast Guard and the Customs & Border Protection, are in charge of port security, not the operators of individual terminals
Congress Passes Port Security Bill
Congress has passed the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006, the first legislation of its kind to authorize an annual federal funding level to help secure United States ports against terrorism. The bill, H.R. 4954, calls for $400m in federal Port Security Grant (PSG) funding for each of the next five years to help increase security in the maritime transportation system. Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO
Senate Hearing on Reducing Oil Spill Risk
On August 1, the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a field hearing in Seattle on Reducing the Risk of Future Oil Spills. Among the various witnesses, Captain Myles Boothe, USCG testified that the majority of oil entering waters of the United States comes from land-based sources and the majority of vessel-based oil spills in the Pacific Northwest comes from recreational and fishing vessels. Mr
News: Committee Discusses Marine Safety
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation conducted an oversight hearing regarding transportation security. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Committee Chair, noted that maritime security remains a daunting task. Mr. Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, discussed the role of the Department of Transportation regarding security and its coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S
Waterways Council Reacts to WRDA Bill
Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) President/CEO Michael J. Toohey issued the following statement regarding today’s mark-up of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: “We thank Chairwoman Barbara Boxer and Ranking Member
U.S. Senator Sends Safety Inquiries to Major Cruise Lines
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation said in a news release that Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va) sent letters to the three largest cruise liners about their passenger safety, security, and health practices. Chairman Rockefeller’s letters to Carnival, Royal Caribbean
HII Bolster Government and Customer Relations Team
Huntington Ingalls Industries made two appointments to its government and customer relations leadership team. Carolyn E. Apostolou has been named vice president for legislative affairs (Senate), and Vice Adm. John "Jay" Donnelly (U.S. Navy, Ret
AAPA Commends Senate Passage of WRDA Bill
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) lauded Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and David Vitter (R-La.), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, for their leadership in advancing S
AAPA Lauds Focus of Senate Transportation Proposal
Senate EPW’s 2-year reauthorization proposal includes much of AAPA’s platform. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) supports a number of the provisions included in legislation marked up today by the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. S
Cal Maritime Presidential Search Committee to Hold First Meeting
The California State University Board of Trustees will begin the search next month for a new president of the California Maritime Academy to succeed President William B. Eisenhardt, who is retiring after serving as president of the university since 2001.
US Navy Puts Energy Initiatives on Display
Navy displays energy initiatives aboard USS Kearsrge The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) hosted the Senate Committee for Energy and Natural Resources and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, to discuss Navy and Marine Corps energy initiative programs.
Maritime Pollution and Other Legislation Outlook 2012
It has been almost two years since the Deepwater Horizon incident occurred on April 20, 2010. As a result of this incident, although there have been many bills introduced in Congress to address issues raised by this incident, as well as numerous related hearings
House Addresses Great Lakes Dredging Crisis
The end of the Great Lakes dredging crisis took a step closer to reality last week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4348 and included a provision that could lead to substantially increased Great Lakes dredging funding. The amendment directs that all funding collected in the
US Navy Touts Energy Plan, Congress Seeks Cuts
While Congress wants to curb the Navy’s energy initiatives, the service is on the offensive & advocates the long-term cost savings that green efforts will reap Speaking at awards ceremonies recently at the United States Naval Memorial in Washington, D.C
Adm. Papp Testifies at "Law of the Sea" Hearing
Testifying yesterday before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at a hearing on the Law of the Sea Convention, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp stressed that accession to the Convention will better position the Coast Guard to advance and protect America’s national
Ballast Water Regulations Uniformity Plea to US Senate
A coalition of maritime related interests writes to US Senate pledging support for uniform national standard for regulation of ballast water & other vessel discharges. The text of the letter addressed to The Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV Chairman Committee on Commerce, Science andTransportation
NOIA Urges Senate Action to Facilitate Expanded Offshore Access
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) joined with the American Petroleum Institute (API), the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), and the U.S
AAPA Chief Weighs in on WRDA
AAPA Chairman Testifies Before Senate Committee on Water Resources Development Act; Testimony emphasizes importance of investment in waterside infrastructure. Jerry Bridges, the American Association of Port Authorities’ Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Virginia
Senator Dick Durbinn to Receive Waterways Council Award
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) will receive the 12th Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on March 19, 2013 at the Loews Madison Hotel in Washington, DC. He will receive the award during WCI’s Washington Seminar at approximately 2:45 p.m.