SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW

H.R. 665 / No Senate Companion - Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 666 / No Senate Companion - Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 667 / No Senate Companion - Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act - Advocacy in opposition to the legislation. HOUSE DRAFT / S. 525 - Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 - Discussions with staff regarding provisions in the bill, advocacy in support of the legislation H.R. 1207 / S. 525 - To transfer the functions, duties, responsibilities, assets, liabilities, orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges of the United States Agency for International Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture - Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 1968 / No Senate Companion - Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 - Discussions with staff regarding inclusion of full funding for the Maritime Security, Tanker Security and Cable Ship Security Programs within the legislation. H.R. 2125 / No Senate Companion - SOS Act of 2025 - Discussions with staff regarding the provisions of the bill, advocacy in suppot of the legislation. H.R. 2390 / No Senate Companion - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act - Discussions with staff regarding the legislation, advocacy in support of the legislation. HOUSE DRAFT / SENATE DRAFT - Maritime Administration Authorization Act - Discussions with staff regarding potential provisions to be included in a forthcoming MARAD authorization. HOUSE DRAFT / SENATE DRAFT - Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act (SHIPS for America Act) - On-going discussions with staff regarding the reintroduction of the SHIPS for America Act, concerns regarding various provisions, and overall support and advocacy for the legislation. Legislative Initiatives and General Issue Areas: Cargo Preference - Ongoing discussions in regards to increasing the percentages of cargo reserved under cargo preference programs to the U.S.-Flag fleet, education regarding cargo preference and its importance to the industry, and American economic and national security Cable Ship / Maritime Security / Tanker Fleet Security Program funding and issues - On-going discussions with staff over these stipend programs and their future needs, funding and reauthorizations, as well as concerns regarding the current gap between authorized levels and appropriated funds under the continuing resolution. Coast Guard Credentialing Issues - Ongoing discussions with members and staff regarding difficulties in obtaining initial and renewed credentials for Merchant Mariners through the Coast Guards National Maritime Center. Coast Guard Training Certification Issues - Ongoing discussions with members and staff regarding difficulties in obtaining timely certification of training courses for Merchant Mariners through the Coast Guards National Maritime Center. Coast Guard Able Seafarer Training Program Issues - On-going discussions with members and staff over potential legislative changes to help bring existing, decades-long training programs into compliance with new Coast Guard interpretations of existing statutes and regulations regarding the sea service training time requirements for Able -Bodied Seamen serving in the deck department on vessels in the United States Merchant Marine. Executive Order on Shipbuilding - Discussions with staff on the President's Executive Order on shipbuilding. Farm Bill - Discussions with staff and meetings regarding maritime priorities in the Farm Bill, work with AFL-CIO Farm Bill union coalition Jones Act - On-going discussions with staff regarding issues relating to the Jones Act, including wind-farm development, and Administration actions on waivers, Customs and Border Protection administrative rulings regarding Jones Act application to OCSLA, staff briefings on the importance of the law and implementation of last year's NDAA provisions. Mariner Recruitment and Retention - Discussions with staff regarding concerns about mariner recruitment, the current mariner shortage, and retention efforts within the industry Red Sea Shipping Attacks - Discussions with staff regarding potential impacts of the attacks on shipping in the Red Sea that began in November 2023. USAID/Food for Peace Funding Freeze - Discussions with staff regarding the impacts of USAID changes by the Administration and the various programs impacted, including the PL 480 Title II Food for Peace program USTR Sec. 301 Investigation on Chinese Maritime Practices - Discussions with staff regarding the findings of USTR and their preliminary report and recommendations. ________________________________________