GREEN MARINE HIGHWAY INITIATIVE:

I WISH TO URGE MY CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SENTAORS TO SUPPORT THE GREEN MARINE HIGHWAY INITIATIVE BY ALLOCATING $500 MILLION TO REFUND LOAN GUARANTEES FOR NEW AMERICAN-BUILT GREEN SHIPS. THE FUNDING WILL RE-ACTIVATE THE US MARITIME ADMINISTRATION'S TITLE XI LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM THAT WAS DE-FUNDED BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

I SUPPORT FUNDING FOR SHIPS THAT CAN REDUCE TRUCKING ON COASTAL AND INLAND WATERWAY FREIGHT CORRIDORS BY SHIFTING CARGOES ON TO NEW GREEN SHIPS. THESE NEW AMERICAN-MADE SHIPS WILL REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS, FUEL CONSUMPTION, AND SAVE SHIPPERS AND TAXPAYERS MONEY. NEW FUNDING WILL ALSO CREATE NEW US SHIPBUILDING JOBS AND NEW CARGO-HANDLING JOBS AT OUR PORTS AND HARBORS.

FINALLY, US LAW GUARANTEES THESE SHIPS MUST BE BUILT BY AMERICAN WORKERS AND OPERATED BY AMERICAN MARINERS AS PART OF A NEW NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THAT SUPPORTS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FOR THE UNITED STATES.