A bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to extend the deadline for the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations implementing title IV of that Act, and for other purposes.

HOUSE / SENATE DRAFT - Farm Bill - Discussions with staff regarding maritime related provisions in the bill, sharing of maritime priorities for the Farm Bill, including protection of PL 480 Title II and other cargo preference laws that impact ag programs. HR 4292 / S 2862 - American Farmers Feed the World Act - Discussions with staff regarding the legislation and requesting co-sponsors, advocacy in support of the legislation. HR 5860 / S 1308 et al - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act - Discussions with staff regarding THUD approps, including Maritime Security Program, Tanker Security Program and Cable Ship Security Program funding levels. No House Companion / S 3038 - American Offshore Worker Fairness Act - Discussions with staff regarding the legislation. HR 6724 / S 3467 - Energizing American Shipbuilding Act of 2023 - Discussions with staff regarding the legislation, advocacy in support of the legislation. HR 7659 / SENATE DRAFT - Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 - Discussions with staff regarding provisions to be included in the legislation, including issues relating to Able Seafarer training requirements. HR 7463 / - S 2625 et al - Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 - Discussions with staff regarding provisions relating to Coast Guard funding in the Homeland Security appropriations portion of the bill, advocacy in support of the legislation. HR 8070 / S 4638 - National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 - Discussions with staff regarding increases in stipend for Maritime Security Program, Tanker Security Program and Cable Ship Program, discussions regarding maritime workforce and training, and other issues relating to Able Seafarer training requirements, advocacy in support of the legislation HR 8515 / SENATE DRAFT - Maritime Advantage Results in National Economic Resiliency and Security Act - Discussions with staff regarding maritime policy, discussions around future of national maritime strategy, maritime workforce and future plans for building a stronger US Merchant Marine. HR 9028 / SENATE DRAFT - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 - Discussions with staff on MSP stipend appropriations, issues with NDAA proposed increase Legislative Initiatives and General Issue Areas: Cable Security Fleet Program stipend increase - Preliminary discussions with staff regarding the current stipend levels for the Cable Security Fleet and the potential need for an increase to help meet rising ship operation costs. Cargo Preference - On-going discussions in regards 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 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 Seafarer 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. Key Bridge Disaster - Discussions with staff regarding the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster in Baltimore, impacts on maritime and the port, impacts on labor at the port, impacts on SIU members and potential legislation. Opposition to Jones Act waivers being called for prematurely because of the disaster. 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. Ligado Order Recission - 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. Farm Bill - Discussions with staff and meetings regarding maritime priorities in the Farm Bill, work with AFL-CIO Farm Bill union coalition. Maritime Security Program stipend increase for FY 25 - Discussions and advocacy to increase the MSP stipend to address inflation and rising ship operation costs. Maritime Security Program full funding for FY 25 - 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 Development - Discussions with staff regarding various provisions with an impact on crewing of offshore wind development vessels, in particular during the construction phase. Red Sea Shipping Attacks - Discussions with staff regarding potential impacts of the attacks on shipping in the Red Sea that began in November 2023. Drafting of Congressional testimony for SIU President. Tanker Security Program stipend increase - Discussions with staff regarding a stipend increase for the TSP, to address concerns that lack of cargo would make it difficult to ensure vessels were active in foreign commerce. Tanker Security Program full funding for FY 25 - Discussions and advocacy to ensure TSP is funded at levels sufficient to begin the program and make it successful.