Congresswoman Hahn Releases Statement on Passage of Howard Coble Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Act of 2014

Today, Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-44) released the following statement regarding passage of H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Act of 2014:

“The bipartisan agreement the United States Congress reached today is a great step for our nation’s Coast Guard and federal maritime transportation.  Under the constraints of limited resources, this important agreement will continue to provide our Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission with the ability to protect our nations international borders while promoting American commerce around the world.

Having served the people of Los Angeles for nearly 15 years on the City Council and now in Congress, I have long appreciated the work of our Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission officials who support the largest port complex in the United States.  America relies on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which is the gateway for forty percent of all maritime commerce, and providing security to these ports keeps goods flowing across the nation.

In addition, this act provides new incentives for the employment of veterans on U.S. flagged vessels, and directs the Secretary of Transportation to work with Congress to create a national maritime strategy to promote the competitiveness of the U.S. flagged fleet, increase the use of short seas shipping, and enhance U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Our nation’s ports and maritime commerce drive all aspects of our economy, and this agreement will provide our nation’s maritime gateways the federal support to ensure American ports remain the safest and most economical for shippers around the world.

I’m pleased this strong agreement bears the name of our colleague Howard Coble, a fellow member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and a great friend of mine, who has long been a champion of America’s Coast Guard and ports.  Congress will miss his leadership. I urge the Senate to consider this legislation immediately and send it to the President’s desk for his signature.”