Posted:
July 31, 2012
Republican Reps. Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey, Steve LaTourette of Ohio and Renee Ellmers of North Carolina and Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia have signed on as co-sponsors of HR 6170, the Saving Essential American Sailors Act of 2012.
The bill, introduced July 24 by Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Jeff Landry (R-LA), would overturn a recent surface transportation bill provision that reduced the statutory U.S.-flag merchant ship share of PL-480 "Food for Peace" export cargoes from 75 percent to 50 percent.
In addition to Reps. LoBiondo, LaTourette, Ellmers and Connolly, HR 6170 is co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Michael Grimm of New York and Candice Miller of Michigan and by Democratic Reps. Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Rick Larsen of Washington, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, Tim Bishop of New York and Corrine Brown of Florida.
The SEAS Act would prevent the loss of an estimated 640 seafaring jobs and a minimum of 2,000 jobs in related sectors ashore. The bill would also prevent the flag-out of at least 16 privately owned and operated U.S.-registered merchant vessels.
In addition, HR 6170 would help ensure that suitable private sector U.S. merchant ships and civilian American merchant mariners are available for strategic sealift service in national security emergencies.
SEAS Act draws additional bipartisan support
Republican Reps. Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey, Steve LaTourette of Ohio and Renee Ellmers of North Carolina and Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia have signed on as co-sponsors of HR 6170, the Saving Essential American Sailors Act of 2012.
The bill, introduced July 24 by Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Jeff Landry (R-LA), would overturn a recent surface transportation bill provision that reduced the statutory U.S.-flag merchant ship share of PL-480 "Food for Peace" export cargoes from 75 percent to 50 percent.
In addition to Reps. LoBiondo, LaTourette, Ellmers and Connolly, HR 6170 is co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Michael Grimm of New York and Candice Miller of Michigan and by Democratic Reps. Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Rick Larsen of Washington, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, Tim Bishop of New York and Corrine Brown of Florida.
The SEAS Act would prevent the loss of an estimated 640 seafaring jobs and a minimum of 2,000 jobs in related sectors ashore. The bill would also prevent the flag-out of at least 16 privately owned and operated U.S.-registered merchant vessels.
In addition, HR 6170 would help ensure that suitable private sector U.S. merchant ships and civilian American merchant mariners are available for strategic sealift service in national security emergencies.