A bipartisan group of 90 Representatives has called on their colleagues to approve full funding for the Maritime Security Program in Fiscal Year 2019. This effort, led by Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Seapower, and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee, demonstrates the broad and clear Congressional recognition of the importance of the Maritime Security Program to the commercial sealift capability of the United States. Funding for the Maritime Security Program helps support the continued operation of its 60-ship U.S.-flag and U.S.-crewed maritime security fleet.
As stated by the Representatives: “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 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.”
Read the entire Congressional statement (
PDF)