Navy League: Administration Proposal Undermines Defense Sealift Capability

On behalf of the 47,000 members and 250 councils ofthe Navy League of the United States, we urge you to reject the Administration’s FY 2014 budget request proposing to eliminate the PL 480 Food for Peace Program, which would put at risk 44,000 American jobs in the merchant marine and farming communities. Of chief importance to the Navy League, the proposed elimination of this important program will significantly undermine the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine and our national defense sealift capability. The United States Merchant Marine has been a necessary part of our national independence of action since the founding of our nation. More than 95% of surge and sustainment cargoes to support the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq during the past decade were carried on U.S. flag commercial and government ships all of which were crewed by civilian U.S. citizen merchant mariners. READ ONLINE (PDF)