AMO Currents - House Armed Services Committee members urge full funding for MSP in FY12

AMO Currents - Posted: May 26, 2011

House Armed Services Committee members urge full funding for MSP in FY12

In a letter to the House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Latham (R-IA) and Ranking Member John Olver (D-MA), the House Armed Services Committee chairman, ranking member and dozens of members of the Armed Services Committee urged full funding for the Maritime Security Program for fiscal year 2012.

"The Maritime Security Program and the uninterrupted operation of its maritime security fleet of 60 U.S.-flag militarily-useful commercial vessels ensures that America will, in fact, be able to support and supply our troops overseas," the representatives wrote. "It guarantees that American flag vessels and American crews will continue to be available to transport the supplies and equipment our troops need to do their job in behalf of our nation."

The committee members noted the tremendous cost-savings provided by the MSP, and the enormous cost that would be incurred if the government had to replace the sealift and intermodal capabilities of the fleet with government owned and managed ships. They referenced a 2006 report estimating the cost to the government to replicate MSP vessel capacity and capabilities at $13 billion.

Without the sealift capacity provided by MSP, the representatives continued, the government might turn to foreign interests to fill the needs met by MSP vessels. This would leave the country dependent on countries that may not share our goals and values and would encourage the outsourcing of American jobs.

"In other words, without funding the MSP and ensuring the continued operation of its maritime security fleet, America would either have to place the safety of our troops and the security of our nation in the hands of foreign shipping interests or be forced to spend billions of dollars more of the taxpayer's dollars to achieve the commercial sealift capability that will be lost if the requested funds for MSP are not appropriated."

The committee members requested the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development include $186 million for MSP in its fiscal year 2012 appropriations legislation, the same amount requested by President Obama and authorized by Congress.

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a defense budget bill authorizing full funding for the Maritime Security Program. Funding for the MSP must be approved by the Committee on Appropriations.