Marie Thompson Antilynching Act

H.R. 628 / No Senate Companion - Shellfish Aquaculture Improvement Act of 2021 - Discussions with staff regarding potential impacts on mariners from the legislation. S. 707 / H.R. 1819 - Energizing American Shipbuilding Act of 2021 - Discussions with staff over the legislative language, and advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 1561 / S. 575 - Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021 - Discussions with staff and members regarding the issues in the Great Lakes and advocacy in support of the legislation. S. 1994 / No House Companion - Protecting Jobs in American Ports Act - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. S. 1998 / No House Companion - Safeguarding American Tourism Act - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 2696 / S.356 - Transportation Workforce Centers of Excellence Act / TOPS Act - Discussions with staff over potential impacts on union training schools. S. 2784 / No House Companion - Bill to establish grant program for the maritime workforce - Discussions with staff over potential impacts on union training schools. S. 2818 / No House Companion - Cruising for Alaskas Workforce Act - Discussion with staff regarding issues in Alaska that led to the introduction of the legislation. Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 3684 / S. 1931, et. al - INVEST in America Act / Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021 - Discussions with staff regarding potential maritime provisions relating to cargo preference be included with the legislation. H.R. 3873 / S. 1992 - Open America's Ports Act - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 4373 / SENATE DRAFT - Department of State, Foreign Ops and Related Programs - Advocacy in support of funding for the Title II Food for Peace program. H.R. 4350 / S. 2792 - National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022 - Discussions with staff regarding potential changes to the Tanker Security Program within the NDAA. Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 4550 / SENATE DRAFT - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY 2022 - Discussions and advocacy with staff in support of full funding for the Maritime Security Program and Tanker Security Program, as well as other maritime funding priorities. Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 4886 / No Senate Companion - Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 - Discussions with staff regarding issues related to U.S.-flag companies that could be impacted by the legislation. H.R. 5059 / S. 363 - Make It in America Act - Discussions with staff regarding maritime related provisions. Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 5573 / No Senate Companion - Bill to prohibit vessels from idling or anchoring in Southern California Coastal Waters - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 5376 / No Senate Companion - Build Back Better Act - Discussion with staff regarding potential maritime related programs included in the legislation, and advocacy in support of the legislation. Legislative Initiatives and General Issue Areas: Cargo Preference - On-going discussions in regards to increasing the percentages of cargo reserved under cargo preference programs to the U.S.-Flag fleet, and creating a new preference program for cargoes that may become available under the Jobs Act. COVID-19 Issues Relating to the Maritime Industry - On-going discussions with multiple members, staff and committee staff regarding the impact of the current pandemic on the maritime industry and mariners. This includes issues with crew relief, credential expiration, potential MSP program waivers and emergency appropriations, cargo preference expansion, and regulatory issues. Coast Guard Credentialing Issues - On-going 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 - On-going discussions with members and staff regarding difficult in obtaining timely certification of training courses for Merchant Mariners through the Coast Guards National Maritime Center. Coast Guard Able-Bodied Seamen Training Program Issues - On-going discussions with members and staff over potential legislative changes to help bring existing, decades-long training programs into compliance with new Coast Guard interpretations of existing statutes and regulations regarding the sea service training time requirements for Able -Bodied Seamen serving in the deck department on vessels in the United States Merchant Marine. Jones Act - On-going discussions with staff regarding issues relating to the Jones Act, including wind-farm development and concerns with the effects of COVID. Ligado Order Recession - On-going discussions with staff regarding the potential impact of the Ligado Order on the maritime industry, in particular GPS and other maritime positioning systems. Maritime Security Program full funding for FY 22 - Discussions and advocacy to ensure MSP is funded at levels sufficient to maintain the fleet. Maritime tax issues - Preliminary discussions with staff around potential tax reforms to help promote the U.S.-flag merchant fleet. Offshore Wind OCSLA Issues - On-going discussions with members regarding issues around Customs and Border Protection guidance concerning use of US-Flag ships for movements of cargo to the pristine seabed in the Outer Continental Shelf for wind farm development, including issues regarding Customs and Border Protection guidance on OCSLA and the Jones Act in regards to off-shore wind installations. Passenger Vessel Services Act Waivers - On-going discussions with staff regarding issues surrounding the PVSA and its impact on certain cruise related voyages to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Tanker Security Program Authorization - Discussions with staff regarding potential legislative changes to the Tanker Security Program to make it more viable. Tanker Security Program full funding for FY 22 - Discussions and advocacy to ensure the TSP is provided its first funding since authorization so the program can be fully implemented.