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

C Shipbuilding innovation and infrastructure

VI Workforce Development

A Workforce incentives

Sec. 601. Public service loan forgiveness for Merchant Marines

Section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by inserting the United States Merchant Marine (as described in paragraph (5)), a United States shipyard, after law enforcement,; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(5) Full-time job in United States Merchant Marine. For purposes of loan cancellation under this subsection, a full-time job in the United States Merchant Marine shall mean possession of a Merchant Mariner Credential authorized by the Coast Guard and employment on board a vessel of the United States for not less than 150 days in a calendar year.

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