Senator Todd Young, US Senator for Indiana | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Todd Young, US Senator for Indiana | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) spoke at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing about the SHIPS for America Act and the state of American commercial shipbuilding. During the hearing, Young addressed concerns about the United States' limited shipbuilding capacity compared to China.
"The President has made building ships in America a priority, and I have legislation, the SHIPS for America Act, that would set the conditions for restoring American dominance," said Senator Young.
Young pointed out that China's fleet includes approximately 5,500 ocean-going ships, while the United States has about 80 and can build only five per year. "The numbers are pretty disturbing. China has – the numbers vary – but roughly 5,500 ships that can operate in ocean-level shipping," said Senator Young. "We have much less than that, 80 roughly, and we have the capacity to build only five a year. So, we need to up our game, and the SHIPS Act would help us build 250 over the next 10."
The committee also reviewed nominations for key maritime administration positions. Among those considered was Mr. Timothy Petty of Indiana for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
A full video of Senator Young's remarks is available online.
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