Recognizing the critical importance of the U.S.-flag maritime security fleet and the essential role played by American mariners, a bipartisan group of 106 Representatives and 25 Senators has called on Congress to approve full funding for the Maritime Security program for Fiscal Year 2021 at its authorized level of $314 million. The effort in the House of Representatives was led by Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) and in the Senate by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
MSP is a vital component of our military strategic sealift and global response capability. It is designed to ensure that the United States has the U.S.-flag commercial sealift readiness capability and trained U.S. citizen merchant mariners available in times of war or national emergencies. MSP also ensures that the U.S. can provide our troops overseas with the supplies and equipment necessary to do their jobs on behalf of our nation.
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