Ike Skelton News

The U.S. commercial maritime industry is enjoying its most robust period in a generation, with a spate of newbuild activities spurred largely by a resurgent energy production market in the U.S. as well as new rules of vessel emissions which has forced owner to invest in new tonnage. For insight and perspective on the market Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visits with Matthew Paxton, who was selected to be the President of the Shipbuilders Council of America in 2007. In this capacity he advocates for a robust and expanding U.S. shipyard industrial base.

The International Propeller Club of the Unites States has announced that Representative Elijah Cummings will be honored at the Propeller Club’s annual Salute to Congress Dinner, to be held on May 7th at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. The Propeller Club’s Salute to Congress dinner is the maritime industry’s most prestigious and anticipated annual event in the Nation’s Capital. For more than a quarter century, the Club and its members have recognized Members of Congress who have demonstrated consistent support for the maritime industry and the United States-flag Merchant Marine.

“Members of the House Armed Services Committee are anxious to examine the details of the President’s defense budget proposal and get to work on the Fiscal Year 2010 defense authorization bill. In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to ensure that each defense dollar is spent wisely and effectively. While many difficult budget and policy decisions are ahead of us, I believe the $533.8 billion requested for defense is a reasonable level which will allow us to support our troops and keep America safe. “I commend the administration for making service members and their families a priority in this budget. I am especially pleased that this year’s budget proposal does not impose new fees on the TRICARE health benefits our service members and their families need.

In a letter to the President, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) urged the administration to protect U.S. interests by denying safe haven for pirates along the coast of Somalia. Skelton also requested a meeting with administration officials to discuss the long-term options being considered for the U.S. and the international community to prevent piracy and promote governance and security in Somalia. Dear Mr. I want to congratulate and thank you for your strong leadership with regard to the hijacking of the M/V MAERSK ALABAMA and the subsequent rescue of Captain Richard Phillips. Your consistent engagement played a crucial role in the safe return of a brave American.

The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) reached her first major milestone Sept. 27, during her keel authentication ceremony held at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in North Kingstown. Caesar S. DeSanto Sr. welded the initials of Rebecca W. Gates onto a plate of steel to symbolize the authentication of the keel. Gates, the wife of Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates, is the sponsor for Missouri, the seventh Virginia-class submarine to join the fleet. U.S. Rep.

On December 13, the House Armed Services Committee conducted an oversight hearing on A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower. Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) delivered an opening statement. Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, discussed the integrated capabilities of the three US maritime services and their major defense missions: forward presence; deterrence; sea control; power projection; maritime security; and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, US Coast Guard, testified concerning the national defense capabilities of the Coast Guard and implementation priorities. General James Conway, Commandant, US Marine Corps, opined that, by 2030, fresh water will be equally as important as oil products.

Just when it seemed as though the U.S. Navy, which has served more than any other military sector as the budget whipping post in the post Cold War era, was positioned to attract long overdue funds, the budget rug was once again pulled. In proposing a Pentagon budget of $379 billion … a $48 billion increase … the Bush administration has again shorted the U.S. Navy. Reaction from Capitol Hill was swift and without censor, as lawmakers and lobbying groups weighed in with equal fury, according to numerous wire reports and hastily written press briefings. "The trend in shipbuilding worsens in this budget," said Rep. Ike Skelton, top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, according to one wire report. In another report, Sen. Edward M.

U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., said that lawmakers will try to add extra ships to the Navy budget, in addition to whatever the Pentagon requests, The Marketplace reported. Taylor said that President George W. Bush isn't fully focused on military needs as the White House prepares its 2008 budget proposal. As a result, Congress ought to use earmarks or other tools to step in, he said. Taylor is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and leads its subcomittee in charge of shipbuilding. Democrats have renamed this panel the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee, replacing its Republican-era moniker as the "Projection Forces" panel. Congress will hold hearings to decide what types of ships the Navy needs, Taylor said.

In a meeting with Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO), U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld confirmed that the Pentagon has no plans to recommend changes to the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the participation of active duty military forces in domestic law enforcement activities. On September 21, Skelton sent a letter to the President asking him to clarify remarks he made in a speech that appeared to call for an increased role for the military in domestic emergency response. Skelton questioned whether the President intended to seek a waiver to the Posse Comitatus Act or to request a full rewrite of the Act. Following Hurricane Katrina, the President directed Executive branch agencies to compile lessons learned during the response and recovery effort.