FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans Introduce SOS Act to Address Shipbuilding Crisis
Read the exclusive on the SOS Act from Elizabeth Elkind at Fox News.
WASHINGTON—A bipartisan trio of American veterans, led by Army veteran and Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, is introducing legislation to revitalize U.S. shipyards and shipbuilders. Co-led by Navy veteran Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Air Force veteran Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), the bill would establish the National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base to investigate the condition of the U.S. maritime industry and impediments to its growth. With a laser focus on the needs of the American military, the Commission will develop actionable policy recommendations to revitalize our maritime industrial base.
Rep. Green said, “For too long, America has ceded its leadership in shipbuilding, which is critical to our defense industrial base. The United States used to be the world leader in commercial shipbuilding. The stark reality is that while the People’s Republic of China builds over 1,700 ships annually, the U.S. struggles to produce even a handful. This decline jeopardizes our military readiness, depletes our skilled workforce, and undermines our ability to project strength. The SOS Act is a critical step towards restoring our maritime industrial base and bolstering our national security. I am proud to lead this bill alongside Rep. Jen Kiggans and Rep. Don Davis. We may root against each other on the football field, but we are united in recognizing the strategic imperative of a robust maritime sector.”
Rep. Kiggans said, “Shipbuilding is the backbone of our economy in Coastal Virginia and vital to both our national security and local workforce. The highly skilled men and women in my district who build and maintain our ships ensure our Navy can remain the most powerful in the world. However, due to workforce and supply chain issues, our maritime industrial base is struggling to keep pace with growing global threats. This Commission is a critical step toward identifying the challenges facing our shipyards and strengthening our ability to build and sustain a world-class fleet. I am proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to ensure America’s shipbuilding industry remains strong for generations to come."
Rep. Davis said, “We must collaborate to ensure that both the public and private sectors work together to find solutions that will strengthen our maritime industrial base. Shipbuilding is vital for our national security.”
American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) President and CEO, Roger Camp said, “The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association supports this legislation as it applies across the domestic shipbuilding industrial base, which includes manufacturers of the components needed to build ships. In establishing a national commission on the maritime industrial base, the act gives a voice to all elements of the industry by including voting commissioners from industry and government, which reflects the collaborative effort this will require.”
Heritage Action Executive Vice President Ryan Walker said, “As China’s global influence grows and threatens our safety, it is critical that America strengthens our Navy and maritime industry. The Save Our Shipyards Act creates an opportunity to counter China, fosters a more steadfast shipbuilding sector, and bolsters our naval fleet. Heritage Action commends Rep. Green for spearheading one of President Trump’s policy priorities and for helping to rebuild the American maritime industry.”
Matt Classen, Executive Director at TMA BlueTech, said, "TMA BlueTech strongly endorses Chairman Mark Green's Save Our Shipyards Act of 2025. This visionary legislation is essential for securing the future of the U.S. maritime industrial base, revitalizing our naval fleet, and ensuring the continued strength and resilience of our shipbuilding sector. The creation of a National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base will provide invaluable insights into the challenges facing our industry, while offering actionable recommendations to strengthen our shipyards, safeguard U.S. jobs, and support a robust maritime labor force. This bill aligns with our mission to drive innovation in maritime defense and clean tech, and we applaud the leadership of Chairman Green and his colleagues in advancing this critical initiative."
Read the Save our Shipyards Act of 2025 or SOS Act here.
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