Readiness Subcommittee News

The President says he wants to make American great again, so why is he trying to destroy the principal support system for America’s maritime industry? This week, we learned that President Trump is “seriously considering” issuing a broad waiver for the Jones Act, a critical law that requires domestic shipping in the U.S. to occur on ships that are built in the United States, fly the U.S. flag, and are operated by crews consisting of at least 75 percent American citizens.I served as the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation for six years.

United States Congressmen Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) this week received the Maritime Leadership Award from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), a national trade association representing the nation’s shipbuilding and repair industry. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and support to the shipbuilding and repair industry. “From their critical role in supporting the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) presented its inaugural “SCA Maritime Leadership Award” to shipbuilding and repair advocate, Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R) from Virginia’s Fourth District. The award was presented Thursday, April 11, during SCA’s annual general membership dinner at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City. "Congressman Forbes has been a tireless advocate for a stronger shipbuilding and repair industry and a friend to the Shipbuilders Council of America. As past…

A Washington think tank concludes Navy should deploy more ships, submarines, to the Asia-Pacific theater. The congressionally mandated report by the Center for International and Strategic Studies offers a number of suggestions to rebalance U.S. military forces after years of war, and bolster combat capabilities in the U.S. Pacific Command area. Authors David J. Berteau and Michael J. Green, the center’s co-directors, propose a shift of forces away from Northeast Asia — Japan and South Korea — and more toward Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, and Australia.

The Navy will have to upgrade and keep three of four Ticonderoga-class cruisers the service planned to retire in 2013, according to proposed legislation released by House Republicans. The proposal by House Armed Services readiness subcommittee chairman Randy Forbes, R-Va., would keep the Cowpens, Anzio and Vicksburg in the fleet by authorizing needed upgrades. The Navy had planned to retire all three, along with the Port Royal, on March 31, 2013, and three more the following year to meet congressionally mandated budget cuts and to save an expected $4.1 billion.