Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.

H.R. 1207 / S. 525 - To transfer the functions, duties, responsibilities, assets, liabilities, orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges of the United States Agency for International Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture - Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 3151 / S. 1541 / S. 1536 - Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act (SHIPS for America Act) - On-going discussions with staff regarding the reintroduction of the SHIPS for America Act, concerns regarding various provisions, and overall support and advocacy for the legislation. H.R. 3331 / No Senate Companion - Mariner Exam Modernization Act - Discussions with staff regarding testing provisions. Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 3838 / S. 2296 - National Defense Authorization Act for FY 26 - Discussions with staff regarding inclusion of the Coast Guard bill and other maritime priorities in the legislation. Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 4552 / S. 2465 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related Agencies Appropriations Act 2026 - Discussions with staff regarding funding for the MSP, TSP and CSP fleets. Advocacy in support of the Senate version of the legislation. H.Res. 869 / S. Res 494 - Resolution(s) observing the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald - Discussions with staff regarding the resolutions. Advocacy in support of the resolutions. Legislative Initiatives and General Issue Areas: Cargo Preference - Ongoing discussions in regard to increasing the percentages of cargo reserved under cargo preference programs to the U.S.-Flag fleet, education regarding cargo preference and its importance to the industry, and American economic and national security Cable Ship / Maritime Security / Tanker Fleet Security Program funding and issues - On-going discussions with staff over these stipend programs and their future needs, funding, and reauthorizations, as well as concerns regarding the current gap between authorized levels and appropriated funds under the continuing resolution. Coast Guard Credentialing Issues - Ongoing discussions with members and staff regarding difficulties in obtaining initial and renewed credentials for Merchant Mariners through the Coast Guards National Maritime Center. Coast Guard Training Certification Issues - Ongoing discussions with members and staff regarding difficulties in obtaining timely certification of training courses for Merchant Mariners through the Coast Guards National Maritime Center. Executive Order on Shipbuilding - Discussions with Congressional and White House staff on the President's Executive Order on shipbuilding. Jones Act - On-going discussions with staff regarding issues relating to the Jones Act, including wind-farm development, and Administration actions on waivers, Customs and Border Protection administrative rulings regarding Jones Act application to OCSLA, staff briefings on the importance of the law and implementation of last year's NDAA provisions. Maritime Administrator nomination and confirmation - Discussions with staff regarding the nomination of Stephen Carmel to serve as Maritime Administator. Advocacy in support of the nomination. Mariner Recruitment and Retention - Discussions with staff regarding concerns about mariner recruitment, the current mariner shortage, and retention efforts within the industry USAID/Food for Peace Funding Freeze - Discussions with staff regarding the impacts of the administration's changes to Food Aid and the lack of cargo moving. USAID/USDA Program Transfer - Discussions with offices regarding the movement of program responsibilities for foreign aid from USAID to USDA.