SHIPS for America Act Press Conference, April 22, Washington D.C.
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, maritime advocates, and labor leaders will gather on April 22 at the U.S. Capitol to voice support for the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, a sweeping legislative proposal designed to revive and strengthen the United States maritime industrial base.
The press conference is scheduled for 11:00 AM PST / 2:00 PM EST at House Triangle on the Capitol’s East Front. It comes just ahead of a joint hearing between the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee focused on improving U.S. seapower and domestic shipbuilding capacity.
Leading the event will be Congressman John Garamendi of California, ranking member of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee and co-lead of the legislation, alongside Congressman Trent Kelly of Mississippi, chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and fellow co-lead of the bill.
They will be joined by Brian Schoeneman, chairman of USA Maritime, Matt Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, as well as additional maritime and labor leaders expected to emphasize the strategic and economic importance of rebuilding American shipyards, expanding harbor infrastructure, and restoring competitiveness in global shipping.
The SHIPS for America Act seeks to address long-running concerns over declining U.S. commercial shipbuilding capacity, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the need for a stronger merchant marine fleet to support both national security and economic resilience. Supporters argue the legislation could create skilled industrial jobs while modernizing critical transportation infrastructure.
The event will be livestreamed across YouTube, X, and Facebook, signaling broad public outreach for what supporters hope becomes a major bipartisan industrial policy effort.