A bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation aimed at monitoring and countering China’s expanding control over strategic ports worldwide, addressing what lawmakers call a direct threat to American national…
U.S. Congress
gCaptain Endorses The Ships For America Act
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Senator Mark Kelly, Congressman Trent Kelly, Senator Todd Young, and Congressman John Garamendi are set to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral SHIPS for America Act, a…
https://gcaptain.com/gcaptain-endorses-the-ships-for-america-act/
Starship to Shipyards: How Space Policy Could Save U.S. Maritime Power
Can lessons learned in space help us revitalize america’s maritime economy? By Bruce Kimbrell (Policy Op-Ed) On the 249th anniversary of the U.S. Navy’s founding, America celebrated an unexpected milestone—not at sea,…
https://gcaptain.com/starship-to-shipyards-how-space-policy-could-save-u-s-maritime-power/
Waltz And Rubio Signal Trump’s Bid to Reassert U.S. Maritime Power
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) American shipyards, the Merchant Marine, ports, and waterways have undeniably suffered from decades of neglect. This context explains why some American shipping experts are celebrating…
https://gcaptain.com/waltz-and-rubio-signal-trumps-bid-to-reassert-u-s-maritime-power/
US Senator Demands Answers After US Navy Oiler Grounding
Washington, D.C. — Following reports that the U.S. Navy’s fleet oiler, USNS Big Horn, was damaged during a grounding off Oman’s coast in the Arabian Sea, Senator Roger Wicker, the ranking Republican on…
https://gcaptain.com/us-senator-demands-answers-after-us-navy-oiler-grounding/
Senators Introduce Bill to Counter Chinese Maritime Threat
Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan Strategic Port Reporting Act, aimed at countering the growing maritime threat posed by China. The…
https://gcaptain.com/senators-introduce-bill-to-counter-chinese-maritime-threat/
FMCSA says it has too little data to assess double-brokering fraud
WASHINGTON — Federal regulators have told Congress that the administration is struggling to get a handle on broker fraud due to a lack of data as well as jurisdictional issues.
In a “Unlawful Brokerage Activities” report sent to Congress last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration confirmed that it continues to assess the relationship between motor carrier safety and unlawful brokerage incidents.
However, “While the agency has received multiple expressions of concern from...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-says-it-has-too-little-data-to-assess-double-brokering-fraud
Op-Ed: Senator Kelly Throws U.S. Maritime Industry a Lifeline — Let’s Seize It
By Captain John Konrad (gCaptain Op-Ed) Yesterday, following encouraging remarks from the Secretaries of Transportation and the Navy, Senator Mark Kelly delivered a compelling speech at the National Maritime Day…
https://gcaptain.com/op-ed-senator-kelly-throws-u-s-maritime-industry-a-lifeline-lets-seize-it/
Red Sea cargo diversions could affect 2024 holiday shipping
The current spike in shipping costs caused by ocean carriers routing away from the conflict in the Middle East could seep into longer-term rates if the federal government waits too long to help mitigate potential backups at U.S. ports, according to retailers.
“While many are focusing on the current situation, more challenges will be created the longer these disruptions continue,” said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, testifying...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/red-sea-cargo-diversions-could-affect-2024-holiday-shipping
Only 1 key trucking bill likely to pass in Congress, GovTrack says
WASHINGTON — A slate of trucking-related bills introduced in Congress this year are in various stages of the legislative process, including several proposals to raise federal weight limits on interstates, expand truck parking and streamline the process for issuing CDLs.
Like all legislation introduced on Capitol Hill, however, the chances of most trucking bills actually being enacted into law are slim.
In the 117th Congress (January 2021-January 2023), about 11% of all 15,055 bills introduced...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/only-1-key-trucking-bill-likely-to-pass-in-congress-govtrack-says