„Save Our Shipyards Act” Aims to Revitalize American Shipbuilding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 19, 2025 – Three House lawmakers today introduced the „Save Our Shipyards Act,” bipartisan legislation establishing a national commission to investigate the state of the U.S. maritime industry and identify obstacles hindering its growth. The bill highlights growing concerns about the decline of American shipbuilding capabilities and underscores the need for immediate action.
Commission to Develop Actionable Policy Recommendations
Representatives Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), and Don Davis (D-N.C.) are co-sponsoring the bill, which would create a national commission on the maritime industrial base. The commission will be tasked with developing actionable policy recommendations to revitalize the sector, with a particular focus on the needs of the American military. „With a laser focus on the needs of the American military, the commission will develop actionable policy recommendations to revitalize our maritime industrial base,” the lawmakers stated in a joint press release.
Timing and Context: A Response to Recent Presidential Action
This legislative push follows President Trump’s recent announcement of a new White House office dedicated to addressing shipbuilding concerns, underscoring the urgency surrounding the issue. The timing suggests a proactive response to the President’s initiative, aiming to provide a congressional perspective on the matter.
Navigating the Legislative Landscape: Standalone Vote or NDAA Amendment?
Representative Green, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and his fellow sponsors face the challenge of navigating the legislative process. National security legislation often faces hurdles, typically being incorporated as amendments to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, a spokesman for Representative Green indicated that due to bipartisan support, both a standalone vote and an NDAA amendment are being considered.
Potential for Delays: Lessons from Past Commissions
The bill’s success is not guaranteed. The history of congressional commissions reveals potential pitfalls. A 2022 commission tasked with providing policy recommendations for the US Navy’s force structure experienced significant delays due to lawmakers failing to promptly appoint their commissioners. This precedent raises concerns about potential roadblocks in the implementation of the „Save Our Shipyards Act.”
Competing Legislation: The „Ships For America Act”
The „Save Our Shipyards Act” is not the only legislative effort addressing shipbuilding issues. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and other lawmakers have introduced the „Ships For America Act,” advocating for a „maritime czar” within the executive branch to oversee shipbuilding matters across the Pentagon and Transportation Department. This bill further highlights the broad, bipartisan concern surrounding the decline of the American shipbuilding industry. It also notably garnered support from former Representative Mike Waltz, now serving as President Trump’s national security advisor. This overlapping, yet distinct, legislative approach could either complement or compete with the „Save Our Shipyards Act” depending on how both proposals proceed.
