Garamendi hosts SHIPS act press conference

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi co-hosted a press conference on Wednesday regarding the SHIPS Act, highlighting its economic and national security importance as the bill reaches a critical juncture in the lawmaking process.

"The tide is with us, so let's make it happen," Garamendi said.

U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, a Mississippi Republican and the chair of the House Armed Services Seapower and Protection Forces Subcommittee, opened the press conference by saying the bill could resurrect the American maritime industry, which he credits for a large part of the country's greatness.

"This is one of the most transformational and best things that can happen for America," he said.

Kelly said that the country also needs to invest in the nation's young mariners, and called for other congressional leaders to join him in pushing the Trump administration on this bill.

"We gotta put a lot of steel in the water that floats and carries goods," he said. "We have to make sure that we can maintain those things," he said.

Kelly said Garamendi is the best partner on this issue that he could ask for and looked forward to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee joint hearing on improving U.S. Seapower and Shipbuilding later in the day.

"Capitol Hill is a place that good ideas come to die," he said. "OK? People like to talk about doing things. We don't wanna talk about doing things, we want to get America back to a place of prominence in building ships."

Kelly said that time is of the essence on this issue and reiterated his praise for Garamendi for his focus on it before leaving the event.

"It's easy to be a great partner when you have a great partner," Garamendi said.

Garamendi said the support groups for this bill have been brought together from across the nation and are determined to revitalize shipbuilding across the country. He said Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo said the Navy cannot support its actions in the Pacific without more supply ships. Garamendi also stressed the importance of a commercial supply fleet for the United States.

"We need American ships," he said. "We need to build them in America."

The bill could be game-changing for advanced manufacturing nationwide, Garamendi said, not just on the coasts. Engines and steel parts will be fabricated at factories in the Upper Midwest and other regions, Garamendi said, sharing the economic impact of this bill.

"We are talking about a major opportunity here, and a major necessity," he said.

Garamendi said he and his allies have been working on this bill for 15 months and will finally place it before the two relevant House committees today. He said the bill closely mirrors an executive order released by Trump regarding shipbuilding last year, and he touted the bill's bicameral and bipartisan support.

Matt Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America, said he would like to see hundreds of Maritime Prosperity Zones and wishes to see the federal government meet the moment. He described Garamendi's passion for the industry as "unmatched".

"Not in 50 years have we seen something as important as what Congressman Garamendi and Chairman Kelly have worked on with the SHIPS Act," he said.

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