Congressional Hearing on “State of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic”
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the American Maritime Partnership testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in a hearing titled “State of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Michael Roberts, senior vice president at Crowley Maritime, an FMP member, currently serves as President of the American Maritime Partnership. Roberts is a past president of FMP.
The value of the Jones Act is even clearer during this pandemic. As can be seen by the breakdown of the supply chain for basic medical goods at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, America cannot be wholly dependent on foreign countries for our basic needs. The Jones Act ensures that America will have the ability to transport our own goods by water and a defense industrial base that is not hamstrung by unfair foreign competition. Today’s domestic U.S.-flag fleet has proven its capabilities to meet the demands of the pandemic, and our mariners have risen to the call of their essential worker status.