Shipbuilders Council Applauds Sen. Wicker, Rep. Wittman ‘SHIPS’ Act

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry, today issued the following statement in support of the recently introduced ‘SHIPS Act ‘ by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA).

The bicameral, bipartisan legislation would make Congressional policy of the United States to achieve the Navy’s requirement of 355 ships. The legislation mirrors the Navy’s recent force-structure assessment that said it needed 355 ships to meet the demands on its forces.

“This legislation is critical to demonstrate to the Navy and our industrial base that Congress is committed to building and sustaining a 355-ship Navy,” said Matthew Paxton, President of SCA. “Consistent, stable funding and policy is essential to maintain the U.S. shipyard industrial base, which serves as a crucial component of America’s national, economic and homeland security, an industry that supports more than 400,000 jobs nationwide.”

In addition to Sen. Wicker the Senate bill is cosponsored by Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), David Perdue (R-GA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Luther Strange (R-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The House bill is cosponsored by Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) and Bill Shuster (R-PA).
Source: Shipbuilders’ Council of America