Page 19: of Marine News Magazine (November 2022)

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Washington Watch training and licensing, inland waterways, harbor improve- Democrats retain control and Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), ments, coastal zone management, both the U.S. Coast the current Ranking Member of House T&I, is the most

Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy likely candidate to take the gavel if the Republicans ? ip (USMMA), and transportation and commerce aspects of the House. Either way, Chairman DeFazio’s successor will

U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). These committees have huge boots to ? ll.

also authorize and oversee programs that are critical to the

Wicker’s departure could create waves continued support and growth of the U.S.-? ag maritime ? eet and U.S. ports, including the Maritime Security Pro- On the Senate side, it is anticipated that current Sen- gram, Tank Security Program, cargo preference, and Port ate Commerce Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (R-

Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants. They Miss.) will be departing the committee to assume the role also provide a critical oversight function for the Jones Act of either Chair or Ranking Member of the Senate Armed and the associated national defense waiver process. Services Committee (SASC). Sen. Wicker previously served as a Chair of Senate Commerce prior to the 2020

The impact of DeFazio’s retirement election, having assumed the role from Sen. John Thune

Since 2018, Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) has (R-S.D.), in 2019 when Sen. Thune was named Senate served as the Chair of House T&I and previously served in various capacities on the committee – including Chair or Ranking Member of four of the six House T&I sub- committees – since 1987. During that time, he has been a constant champion for the U.S. maritime industry. Among numerous other accomplishments, Chairman DeFazio suc- cessfully led the effort to allow for the full-utilization of the annual collections to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), essentially unlocking $25 billion in collected funding for dredging federal harbors to their constructed widths and depths. In the same bill, Chairman DeFazio was able to immediately authorize the release of nearly $10 bil- lion in already collected fees sitting in the HMTF to dredge harbors, repair jetties, and maintain navigation channels.

Under his leadership, House T&I has also led (1) the authorization of the National Security Multi-Mission Ves- sel (NSMV) program, (2) substantial growth in authorized

PIDP grants, and (3) the development of additional over- sight in the Jones Act waiver process. As a result, Chair- man DeFazio has received awards from nearly every mari- time industry group, including the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), International Propeller Club,

National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE), and Shipbuilder’s Council of America (SCA).

After 36 years in Congress, Chairman DeFazio an- nounced that he will not seek re-election. Accordingly, the chairmanship will be up for grabs, even if the Democrats retain control of the House. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) appears to be the front-runner to serve as chair, if the www.marinelink.com MN 19|