As you know, President Trump signed a number of appropriations bills on Friday (Feb. 15) to keep the government open and operating. One of those bills was the Transportation Appropriations Bill, which provides support to the state maritime academies through the Maritime Administration (Marad) budget.
This year's Marad budget is truly historic in terms of the support provided to the state maritime academies. The total support to the state maritime academies provided this year is $45.2 million, more than double the $18.5 million appropriated in my first year as president. During my time as president, our direct support grant has increased from $600,000 to $1 million, and funds for fuel assistance have increased from $200,000 to $633,333. Funds for maintenance and repair of the six state maritime academies training vessels has increased from $11.3 million to $25 million.
I am particularly pleased to report that this budget contains another $300 million for the construction of a second National Security Multimission Vessel (NSMV), to replace Massachusetts Maritime Academy's training ship, the T/S Kennedy. This will have a direct impact on the construction of the first NSMV replacing T/S Empire State through increased competition and decreased costs for what is now a multi-ship build.
All of this would not be possible without the outstanding leadership and support of Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and Marad Administrator Mark Buzby.
In just a little more than four years, the presidents of the six state maritime academies have built a bipartisan coalition across two administrations that has resulted in $600 million for a program that many questioned and openly doubted, and some opposed.
By all accounts, this is a remarkable accomplishment, and I am proud of what my colleagues and I have been able to achieve. By working together, we have educated many members of Congress on the importance to the nation of the state maritime academies, the U.S. merchant marine, and the maritime industry. This year's budget demonstrates that many in Congress now believe in the value of the state maritime academies.
Today, we can pause and celebrate the results of a great deal of time, energy, and effort. In a few weeks, I head back to Washington, D.C., to begin work again on next year's appropriations bill where we hope to maintain this historic level of support in what is going to be a very challenging budget year.
