Lawmakers seek national coordination, support for maritime industry – By Megan Eckstein (Defense News) / Jan 30, 2024
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for a national investment in the maritime industry, asking the White House to coordinate between the military and commercial ship sectors and offer a national strategy.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., headed a Jan. 29 letter signed by 19 lawmakers and sent to the White House, noting China is “expanding its strategic influence over the oceans.”
“It is building a global maritime network, on which the American economy and critical maritime supply chains have become increasingly reliant,” the letter adds. “Meanwhile, the U.S. has failed to give proper attention to the elements of our national sea power.”
The lawmakers note China’s “intimidation” in the South China Sea and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are “recent examples of the risks we face in the maritime domain.”
