Posted:
November 29, 2010
The following letter, dated Nov. 23, 2010, was sent by the national president of American Maritime Officers to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
As your Department completes its fiscal 2012 budget recommendations against a backdrop of growing concern over federal spending, budget deficits and the national debt, I ask respectfully that you request full funding of the proven Maritime Security Program at the authorized level of $184 million for the fiscal year.
As you know, the Maritime Security Program assists 60 U.S.-flagged merchant ships competing in commercial international trade. The Department of Defense relies heavily on these ships, their officers and crews - and on the intermodal transportation assets and logistics support systems owned or leased by participating companies - to sustain U.S. military personnel protecting our nation's interests overseas. Ships in the Maritime Security Program have delivered more than 80 percent of the supplies and equipment needed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003.
The Maritime Security Program has served its purpose effectively and efficiently. The Department of Defense has said it would cost a minimum of $13 billion to build or buy the sealift capacity and "factory to foxhole" cargo delivery capabilities the Maritime Security Program provides. This figure does not include annual operating and maintenance costs.
By any measure, the Maritime Security Program is a wise investment, an example of the prudent use of federal funds for broad national gain. Our view matches those of leading civilian and military defense planners who have said repeatedly that the Maritime Security Program merits continued funding each year at the authorized level.
Thank you for considering my comments as you prepare the Department of Transportation's proposed budget for the next fiscal year. I am available at your convenience to answer any questions you may have, and I look forward to commenting further as budget deliberations proceed in the administration and in the 112th Congress.
AMO urges full Maritime Security Program funding for fiscal year 2012
The following letter, dated Nov. 23, 2010, was sent by the national president of American Maritime Officers to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
As your Department completes its fiscal 2012 budget recommendations against a backdrop of growing concern over federal spending, budget deficits and the national debt, I ask respectfully that you request full funding of the proven Maritime Security Program at the authorized level of $184 million for the fiscal year.
As you know, the Maritime Security Program assists 60 U.S.-flagged merchant ships competing in commercial international trade. The Department of Defense relies heavily on these ships, their officers and crews - and on the intermodal transportation assets and logistics support systems owned or leased by participating companies - to sustain U.S. military personnel protecting our nation's interests overseas. Ships in the Maritime Security Program have delivered more than 80 percent of the supplies and equipment needed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003.
The Maritime Security Program has served its purpose effectively and efficiently. The Department of Defense has said it would cost a minimum of $13 billion to build or buy the sealift capacity and "factory to foxhole" cargo delivery capabilities the Maritime Security Program provides. This figure does not include annual operating and maintenance costs.
By any measure, the Maritime Security Program is a wise investment, an example of the prudent use of federal funds for broad national gain. Our view matches those of leading civilian and military defense planners who have said repeatedly that the Maritime Security Program merits continued funding each year at the authorized level.
Thank you for considering my comments as you prepare the Department of Transportation's proposed budget for the next fiscal year. I am available at your convenience to answer any questions you may have, and I look forward to commenting further as budget deliberations proceed in the administration and in the 112th Congress.