Posted:
May 14, 2014
Speaking at the second National Maritime Strategy Symposium May 6, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), co-chairman of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, addressed the importance of U.S. military and commercial shipbuilding and U.S.-flag shipping to the nation's security, defense and economy.
He opened his presentation by highlighting the critical roles of key elements of U.S. maritime policy - including the Jones Act and the Maritime Security Program - as well as the importance of the Food for Peace program, and funding for dredging and harbor maintenance projects.
"As you know, our Maritime Security Program is critical," Rep. Wittman said, pointing out the program helps ensure the U.S. has the needed capacity to support defense sealift operations.
"The PL-480 Food for Peace program is critical, too," Rep. Wittman said. "That capacity helps in meeting needs around the world, but it also helps us strategically, because we know having that capacity and that use provides a dual purpose - not only for getting food to places around the world where it's needed, but also to be able to surge and meet those other demands that are out there that we know are critical from a national security standpoint.
"The Jones Act is absolutely critical, too," he said, emphasizing the importance of both support and proper enforcement of the law.
Rep. Wittman addressed the significance of funding water resources development projects, including the dredging of U.S. ports and waterways. He detailed the need for dredging operations in Virginia, and in the context of the national transportation system as a whole, said: "That really is an investment in our economic infrastructure here in the United States, and part of that national maritime strategy is to make sure we can move goods in and out of our ports. That, I think, is an extraordinarily important part of the discussion we have about transportation."
Rep. Wittman highlights importance of maritime laws, programs to U.S. sealift capabilities, economic interests
Speaking at the second National Maritime Strategy Symposium May 6, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), co-chairman of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, addressed the importance of U.S. military and commercial shipbuilding and U.S.-flag shipping to the nation's security, defense and economy.
He opened his presentation by highlighting the critical roles of key elements of U.S. maritime policy - including the Jones Act and the Maritime Security Program - as well as the importance of the Food for Peace program, and funding for dredging and harbor maintenance projects.
"As you know, our Maritime Security Program is critical," Rep. Wittman said, pointing out the program helps ensure the U.S. has the needed capacity to support defense sealift operations.
"The PL-480 Food for Peace program is critical, too," Rep. Wittman said. "That capacity helps in meeting needs around the world, but it also helps us strategically, because we know having that capacity and that use provides a dual purpose - not only for getting food to places around the world where it's needed, but also to be able to surge and meet those other demands that are out there that we know are critical from a national security standpoint.
"The Jones Act is absolutely critical, too," he said, emphasizing the importance of both support and proper enforcement of the law.
Rep. Wittman addressed the significance of funding water resources development projects, including the dredging of U.S. ports and waterways. He detailed the need for dredging operations in Virginia, and in the context of the national transportation system as a whole, said: "That really is an investment in our economic infrastructure here in the United States, and part of that national maritime strategy is to make sure we can move goods in and out of our ports. That, I think, is an extraordinarily important part of the discussion we have about transportation."