House and Senate pushing for $300m for Small Shipyards

September 21, 2021:

After a 15-hour marathon session last week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved $300 million for the next round of federal Small Shipyard grants through a provision led by Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24). This legislation is a part of the budget 'reconciliation' package currently moving through both houses of Congress.

Notably, during the mark-up, Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08) expressed strong support for the robust level of funding in the bill for maritime programs, including the Small Shipyard Grant Program.

On the others side of the hill; the US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee leaders -- including Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) -- are pushing for $300 million in funding for the program as well. Both proposals would target funds toward shipyard projects that improve environmental sustainability.