American Maritime Voices Sounds Alarm Over Congressional “Merchant Marine Allies Partnership Act” that Proposes to Open U.S. Coastal Trade to Unregulated Foreign Built & Crewed Vessels

Congressman Ed Case (D-HI) and Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam) have introduced the so-called “Merchant Marine Allies Partnership Act” (H.R. 4839) — a bill that would open U.S. coastal trade to unregulated foreign-built and foreign-crewed vessels. If passed, this legislation would be a stab in the back of every man and woman in this sector.

The AFL-CIO’s Metal Trades Department is sounding the alarm, calling this bill a “pink slip for American workers.” They warn that allowing foreign operators to dominate our coastwise trade would erode America’s industrial base and weaken the national security lifeline that the Jones Act provides. Once those jobs leave, they won’t come back.

We are calling on VOICES to take action today. Stand with America’s shipyard workers, mariners, and the communities that depend on them. Click here and start your letter to your Member of Congress.