Marshall Sanford: “I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is…”

“I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of title XXXV add the following: SEC. __. GAO REPORT ON MARITIME SECURITY FLEET PROGRAM. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act the Comptroller General of the United States shall study and report to the relevant congressional committees on the following: (1) The justification for the size of the Maritime Security Fleet established under chapter 531 of title 46, United States Code, given present national defense operational requirements for such fleet, and how the annual per-vessel payment under that chapter corresponds to the costs of operating vessels in such Fleet. (2) The difference in costs between the Maritime Security Fleet program and other options for achieving the same objectives as that program, such as-- (A) procurement by the United States of a national defense sealift fleet; (B) contracting for United States-flag vessels and foreign- flag vessels on a temporary basis; and (C) other potential options. (3) Instances, examined in detail, in which use of foreign- flag, foreign-crewed vessels for national defense sealift purposes has hindered national security or impeded United States military operations.…”