Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (June 2024)

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Column

Shipyard Politics

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Congressman John ready, and worker-training programs prepped to absorb a

Garamendi (CA-8), “provides a comprehensive vision for surge of activity or funding. planning guidance, strategic objectives, and actionable With America’s political and maritime environments steps to revitalize our nation’s maritime sector.” as volatile as they have ever been, any small spark or per-

The Congressional effort, a sober collection of smart ceived outrage offers an unprecedented opportunity to maritime initiatives, is a “to-do” list for Congress. Normal- push shipbuilding directly into America’s living rooms. ly that’s not something that will move the needle, but, with To exploit this potential, both parties must put real the potential for a sudden uptick of public interest in the thought into just who might be the right ? t for maritime maritime, a Congress armed with a legislative outline—an leadership positions. America may not see the return outline backed by four powerful members—could exploit of another larger-than-life John Lehman-like character, public outrage to quickly reshape the American maritime. pushing naval expansion at all costs, but America’s decay-

Right now, aspiring government shipbuilders have an ing maritime position and the state of the U.S. shipbuild- obligation to review their contingency plans and get ready. ing industrial base will be an election-year issue worthy

The opportunity posed by an unexpected outpouring of of real and expert attention. So, rather than being just energized voter interest is not something the industry another boring year of little substance in government wants to miss. Facility expansion plans need to be as shov- shipbuilding, 2024 could be the year prepared and ready el-ready as possible, option ships need to be priced out and shipyards get an unexpected windfall.

USS Maine entering Havana Harbor on January 25, 1898, three weeks before the ship’s destruction. The sudden loss of the battleship and some 268 sailors pushed the American public into a warlike mood, setting the stage for the Spanish

American War, and sparking far more public interest in building naval combatants.

U.S. Department of Defense 22 | MN June 2024