Lisa Murkowski: “Today, Mr. President, I am reintroducing a very important measure--one that will unlock and open a door that Congress…”

“Today, Mr. President, I am reintroducing a very important measure--one that will unlock and open a door that Congress has kept barred for over 100 years. Opening that door will create a path to thousands of new jobs, to hundreds of millions of dollars in new economic activity, and to millions in new Federal, State, and local government revenues. Furthermore, Mr. President, that door can be opened with no adverse impact on any existing U.S. industry, labor interest, or on the environment, and it will cost the Government virtually nothing. There's no magic to this; in fact, it's a very simple matter. My bill merely allows U.S. ports to compete for the growing cruise ship trade to Alaska, and encourages the development of an all-Alaska cruise business, as well. The bill amends the Passenger Service Act to allow foreign cruise ships to operate from U.S. ports to Alaska, and between Alaska ports. However, it also very carefully protects all existing U.S. passenger vessels by using a definition of ``cruise ship'' designed to exclude any foreign-flag vessels that could conceivably compete in the same market as U.S.-flag tour boats or ferries. Finally, it provides a mechanism to guarantee that if a U.S. vessel ever enters this trade in the future, steps will be taken to ensure an ample pool of potential passengers. Mr. President, this is a straightforward approach to a vexing problem, and it deserves the support of this body.”