Protecting the Maritime Industry from Drastic Budget Cuts
You know best that our waterways are the gateway to commerce, trade and recreation, and that our Louisiana maritime industry supports more than 54,000 jobs and pumps more than $11.3 billion into our economy each year.
Right now, Congress is crafting the annual appropriations bills that fund important maritime priorities throughout our country. I am proud to report that the bills we passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee this week offset cuts to critical maritime programs that were included in the House of Representatives’ version.
Our bill protects the Maritime Security Program from a $20 million reduction that would compromise our ability to maintain a U.S.-flag merchant fleet crewed by U.S. citizens to serve both the commercial and national security needs of the nation. It also preserves over $30 million in funding for the Title XI Maritime Loan Guarantee program that helps our domestic shipping and shipbuilding industry secure affordable financing for new projects. I led a Congressional letter in support of maintaining funding for this program last month.
In addition, the Senate bill includes $5.5 million for the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) that provide our ports and river pilots with the data they need to safely navigate vessels along our nation’s waterways.
I will continue to fight for this funding as the full Senate continues to consider the bills and until they reach the President’s desk for his signature.