Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, along with Senator Todd Young, Representative Trent Kelly, and Representative John Garamendi, have addressed President Donald Trump’s recent executive order supporting U.S. shipbuilding. This order aligns with the goals of their SHIPS for America Act, which aims to revitalize the maritime industry.
In a joint statement, they remarked, “This executive order recognizes the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to reinvigorate the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries, sharing the same goals as our SHIPS for America Act. America’s maritime industry and shipbuilding capacity have dangerously lagged behind over the years, allowing China to get ahead and pose a serious threat over the oceans. Today’s action by the Trump administration shows they see the same threat and the urgent need to reverse course to strengthen our national security and grow our economy. We’re also encouraged that many of the provisions in the executive order mirror parts of our SHIPS for America Act.”
They further mentioned, “We will introduce the SHIPS for America Act with renewed support in the coming weeks to provide the Congressional authorizations needed to truly revitalize the American shipbuilding and maritime industries and work with the administration to get it passed. That’s how we’ll put Americans to work building more oceangoing ships and flying the American flag on merchant vessels to reclaim America’s global maritime leadership.”
Senators Kelly and Young, along with Representatives Kelly and Garamendi, introduced the SHIPS for America Act to boost U.S. shipbuilding, aiming to lower costs, create jobs, and enhance national security.
Senator Kelly has a background in marine and aeronautical engineering and has served in the Navy for 25 years. He currently chairs the USMMA Board of Visitors for the 118th Congress. Representative Kelly leads the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces for the House Armed Services Committee.
