WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle held a press conference on Tuesday, urging Congress to pass a bill to rebuild the nation’s shipbuilding industry, warning that declining maritime capacity threatens both national security and economic growth.
Reps. John Garamendi, D-CA, and Trent Kelly, R-MS. promoted the SHIPS for America Act, first introduced in the Senate in April 2025. The bill aims to strengthen national security, bolster supply chains, and build 250 U.S.-flagged vessels in 10 years by offering tax incentives for ship construction and requiring more cargo to be carried on American-built ships.
According to a 2024 press release from Garamendi’s office, about 80 U.S. flagships are engaged in international commerce compared to over 5,500 China-flagged vessels.
“We’re a great nation because we’re a great maritime nation…we used to get to say that, but we’ve slipped,” Kelly said. “If we want to get back…then it takes an investment in our shipbuilding industry.”
The legislation would support shipyard development, workforce training and supply chains tied to ship construction. Supporters argue the benefits would extend beyond coastal regions to manufacturers and workers nationwide.
Geramandi pointed to concerns raised by military leaders about the nation’s ability to support operations overseas.
He described the testimony of the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Samuel Paparo, at a House Armed Services Committee hearing earlier today, saying that he said: “We cannot support our troops, our actions in the Pacific, we need ships.”
Industry leaders joined lawmakers in backing the bill, calling it a rare opportunity to reverse decades of decline in the U.S. maritime sector.
Brian Schoeneman, chairman of USA Maritime, said the bill could nearly triple the size of the U.S. commercial fleet and create jobs across shipbuilding, operations and supply chains.”
“It’s hard for me to overstate the importance of the SHIPS Act to the American maritime industry, to my companies, and to the members of the labor unions. These are merchant mariners who go out to sea every day,” Schoeneman said. “They’re getting shot at in the Persian Gulf. They are working long hours to make sure that we are bringing the goods everywhere around the world.”
While the bill has bipartisan backing and support from the White House, it still faces a complex path through multiple House committees, including Armed Services and Transportation and Infrastructure.
On April 9, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance” executive order, and many of the provisions mirror parts of the SHIPS for America Act.
“President Trump understands that we need to build more ships here in the United States. This executive order recognizes the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to reinvigorate the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries, sharing the same goals as the SHIPS for America Act,” Sen. Todd Young, R-IN, said in a press release after Trump signed that executive order.
Lawmakers said they hope to advance the bill this year.
“I fear that if we don’t do this by the end of the year, we may never. Time is of the essence,” Kelly said.