Florida Republican Congressman Mike Waltz and Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly have joined forces to address the critical issue of America's declining maritime power. The bipartisan effort aims to reverse the decline in shipbuilding and revitalize the U.S. flag global fleet.
Senator Kelly highlighted the stark contrast between the U.S. and China's shipbuilding capabilities, emphasizing the need for strategic investments to rebuild America's maritime strength. With only 20 shipyards in the U.S. capable of building ships, most of which focus on Navy vessels, the merchant marine industry has suffered from a lack of financial incentives.
The report outlines key recommendations, including growing domestic shipbuilding capacity, revitalizing the U.S. flag global fleet, and accelerating polar seabed and undersea warfare capabilities. The senators stress the urgency of the situation, citing China's aggressive maritime expansion and the potential threat it poses to U.S. national security.
Congressman Waltz expressed disappointment in the lack of funding for shipyards in the recent infrastructure package, calling for public-private partnerships to drive investment in the industry. He emphasized the need to incentivize foreign investment and create a skilled workforce to support shipbuilding efforts.
Both lawmakers underscored the bipartisan nature of the initiative, noting that elements of the strategy will be incorporated into the upcoming defense bill. They urged the administration to prioritize rebuilding America's maritime power as a crucial step in safeguarding the nation's economic and security interests.
The collaborative effort between Congressman Waltz and Senator Kelly signals a bipartisan commitment to addressing the challenges facing the U.S. maritime industry and underscores the importance of revitalizing America's shipbuilding capabilities for future national security and economic prosperity.
