Political Quotes

“I rise today to urge the support of my amendment that would assist in our efforts to ensure that militarily useful United States flag commercial vessels crewed by American citizens are available for this Nation's military and national security needs under the Maritime Security Program. The MSP program provides the Department of Defense with a large fleet of U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off, container and other militarily useful vessels for the transport of military vehicles, supplies and other materiel in support of U.S. military operations around the world. I particularly commend Chairman Hunter for his strong support of the MSP program, and for his leadership by including provisions in the pending Defense Authorization bill that would extend, expand and significantly improve that vital military program. Chairman Hunter's work will preserve the ability of the United States through the MSP program to maintain a fleet of active, militarily useful, privately owned United States-flag vessels to meet national defense and other security requirements and to maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping. In order to encourage the participation of the most modern vessels in the MSP program, my amendment would allow existing vessels to be documented under United States flag provided that the telecommunications and other electronic equipment of such vessels meets internationally accepted standards.”