H.R. 3151

SHIPS for America Act of 2025

Sponsor: Trent Kelly

145 cosponsors
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I Oversight and accountability

II Maritime Security Trust Fund

III Sealift capability

IV Vessels of the United States in international commerce

A Strategic sealift programs

B Cargo preference

C Regulatory reform

V Shipbuilding

A Shipbuilding financial incentives

B Department of Defense Programs

Sec. 513. Military Sealift Command

(a) Authority To offer increased paid leave accrual. The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to offer government merchant mariners employed by Military Sealift Command paid leave accrual at a faster rate than provided pursuant to the standard General Schedule (GS) system to make government seafaring jobs more competitive with the commercial sector.

(b) Report on recruiting and retention efforts

(1) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Commander of the Military Sealift Command and the Maritime Security Board, and in consultation with the Commander of United States Transportation Command, the Commander of United States Fleet Forces Command, and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on efforts to improve recruitment and retention of Military Sealift Command Mariners.

(2) Elements. The report required under paragraph (1) shall consider—

(A) opportunities to enhance the integration of Military Sealift Commander civilian mariners into the military command structure;

(B) providing training on the roles and significance of Military Sealift Command civilian mariner workforce to relevant military commands; and

(C) authorities required to improve recruitment and retention of civilian mariners in Military Sealift Command.

(c) Report on extending charter durations. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report assessing the merits of extending the maximum charter durations of commercial and specialty vessels for the Military Sealift Command.

C Shipbuilding innovation and infrastructure

VI Workforce Development

A Workforce incentives

B Workforce Pipeline

C United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies

D Maritime Credentialing Modernization

VII Amendments to the internal revenue code of 1986