Us House Subcommittee News

In November the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing on “Commercial and Passenger Vessel Safety: Challenges and Opportunities.” Testimony covered a range of issues, from recent tragedies such as the Conception dive-boat disaster to antiquated maritime laws.Hearing witness list:Rear Admiral Richard V. Timme, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, United States Coast GuardThe Honorable Richard Balzano…

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today heard first hand about America’s booming domestic maritime industry from Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of the Board of Saltchuk, one of the country’s most recognized transportation and distribution companies, who was testifying on behalf of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP). Tabbutt told Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) that American maritime, supported by the Jones Act, is strong, vibrant, and growing. “Our industry is experiencing an extraordinary renaissance and its contributions to America’s economic, national and homeland security have never been more important,” said Tabbutt.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today heard first hand about America’s booming domestic maritime industry from Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of the Board of Saltchuk, one of the country’s most recognized transportation and distribution companies, who was testifying on behalf of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP). Tabbutt told Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) that American maritime, supported by the Jones Act, is strong, vibrant, and growing. “Our industry is experiencing an extraordinary renaissance and its contributions to America’s economic, national and homeland security have never been more important,” said Tabbutt.

Maritime industry business intelligence provider PortVision says that its CEO, Dean Rosenberg, testified before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. "Yesterday I was honored to have the opportunity to testify before the US House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The purpose of the hearing was to focus on new ocean technologies, how these technologies can improve government performance, and any impediments that exist in the use of these technologies. As Chairman Duncan Hunter’s office said in a press release announcing the hearing, understanding and monitoring our oceans and how they are being used is vital to our national defense…

A U.S. House subcommittee voted on Wednesday to advance a bill that would eliminate the need for government approval of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to countries that belong to the World Trade Organization. The legislation, which will be considered by the full House energy committee, would essentially end the Energy Department's review of LNG export applications by giving companies permission to sell gas to any of the more than 159 countries that belong to the WTO. The bill passed by a vote of 15 to 11, along party lines in the Republican-led chamber. Concerns about energy security in Europe and Ukraine have escalated since Russian forces seized control of the Crimean peninsula last month. Moscow has in years past cut gas supplies during regional disputes.

A U.S. House subcommittee voted on Wednesday to advance a bill that would eliminate the need for government approval of U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to countries that belong to the World Trade Organization.   The legislation, which will be considered by the full House energy committee, would essentially end the Energy Department's review of LNG export applications. (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

Texas Marine Unit Uses Yellowfin-built Shallow Water Vessels for Border Patrol missions. Menaced by Mexican drug cartels, the Texas Department of Public Safety operates a fleet of six shallow-water vessels it commissioned in late 2011 and 2012 to patrol its borders. The agency purchased the boats from Bradenton, Florida-based manufacturer Yellowfin Yachts as threats along the Rio Grande escalated. Yellowfin custom builds its 34-foot fishing boats for military and police purposes…

Silt accumulation and dredging that's been postponed for years have prevented the full use of U.S. waterways and ports, maritime industry leaders said last month. Hundreds of U.S. ports and harbors are meant to be maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to foster navigation. But many of the country's channels are not kept at their authorized depths, and last year the backlog of needed dredging projects swelled. Meanwhile, just over half the fees charged to shippers through the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are spent on maintenance and operations…

The U.S. House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.), today approved its fiscal 2013 funding bill for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including a $1 billion draw from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for maintaining America’s deep-draft navigation channels and harbors. This would be the largest regular annual appropriation for navigation maintenance. “While still less than the need for full use of the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT)…

Legislation that authorizes $8.1 billion in Fiscal Year 2006 for the U.S. Coast Guard’s maritime strategy for homeland security, core mission performance and operational assets was approved today by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. “The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005” (H.R. 889) was unanimously approved by a voice vote. H.R. H.R. 889 was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska), and is cosponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Transportation Committee Ranking Democratic Member James Oberstar (D-MN), and Coast Guard Subcommittee Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA). H.R.

Implementation of the U.S. Coast Guard’s program to replace and modernize over 90 ships and 200 aircraft used in its offshore missions - including drug and migrant interdiction, homeland security and fisheries law enforcement - will be the topic of a Congressional oversight hearing on Wednesday. The hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20th in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. - Admiral Thomas A. Accompanied by Rear Admiral Patrick M. The Coast Guard began planning a recapitalization program to replace existing deepwater-capable assets in 1996.

Legislation to amend and improve laws relating to the U.S. Coast Guard and maritime transportation will be the subject of a Congressional hearing on Thursday. The legislation, the Coast Guard Amendments of 2005, has not yet been introduced in the U.S. House. The hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 12th in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Mr. Calvin M. Lederer, Deputy Judge Advocate General of the United States Coast Guard, will testify at Thursday’s hearing. Section 101 redefines “navigable waters of the United States” to include territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles from shore…

With offshore oil and gas exploration becoming a hot topic in South Carolina, the House is poised to debate a bill on May 16 that authorizes a study of gas exploration off the state's coast. The bill calls for a committee to study the feasibility of natural gas exploration off the state's coast and to report by Jan. 13. A bill allowing gas exploration, currently banned off the East coast, passed a U.S. House subcommittee last week. Critics who oppose oil and gas exploration off the coast argue that alternative energy and conservation means should be exhausted first. The bill cites proposals in Congress to offer incentives to states to allow gas exploration, saying the fuel is clean and in high demand.