Rep. Mark E. Green, U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 7th District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Mark E. Green, U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 7th District | Official U.S. House headshot
A bipartisan group of American veterans has introduced new legislation aimed at revitalizing U.S. shipyards and the shipbuilding industry. The initiative, led by Army veteran and Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, along with Navy veteran Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Air Force veteran Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), seeks to address challenges within the maritime sector.
The proposed bill would establish the National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base. This commission is tasked with investigating the current state of the U.S. maritime industry and identifying obstacles to its growth. The goal is to develop actionable policy recommendations to strengthen the maritime industrial base, which is seen as critical for national security.
Rep. Green emphasized the importance of restoring America's leadership in shipbuilding, noting that "the United States used to be the world leader in commercial shipbuilding." He highlighted concerns over military readiness and workforce depletion due to a decline in ship production compared to countries like China.
Rep. Kiggans pointed out that "shipbuilding is the backbone of our economy in Coastal Virginia," stressing its significance for both national security and local employment. She acknowledged existing workforce and supply chain issues that hinder progress in maintaining a strong naval fleet.
Rep. Davis underscored the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to bolster the maritime industrial base, emphasizing its vital role in national security.
The bill has received endorsements from organizations such as the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) and Heritage Action.
For more details on this legislative effort, interested parties can refer to the Save Our Shipyards Act of 2025 or SOS Act.
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