Congressman Elijah E. Cummings praised the passage of the Maritime Workforce Development Act, H.R. 2651. The bill passed on a voice vote, with more than two-thirds of the House voting in favor. Congressman Cummings wrote this legislation to address the education and training needs of our nation’s merchant mariners. H.R. 2651 amends Title 46 of the United States Code, directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish a student loan program to attract the next generation of workers to good paying jobs available in the maritime industry. The loan program will also help those already in the industry obtain the certifications and training they need to move ahead in their careers. Many of those who currently work in the maritime industry are nearing retirement age.