Sen. Booker Commends Inclusion of Maritime Administration Reauthorization in National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) expressed his support for the inclusion of the Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act of 2017 within the defense bill passed by Congress now awaiting the President’s signature. Sens. Booker and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act in April of 2016. The inclusion of the bill in the NDAA affirms the important role of America’s maritime transportation system and takes critical steps to improve the management of the Maritime Administration (MARAD).
“Our ports, vessels, and Merchant Marine forces are critical to our military preparedness, economic growth, and disaster relief efforts, so I am encouraged to see that Congress has incorporated MARAD in this year’s defense bill. The defense bill will now include critical provisions that will help strengthen and diversify the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as well as enable the institution to proactively take steps to prevent sexual assault on the academy campus and during off-campus training. Today marks a promising step towards enacting policies that provide a safer and more inclusive environment to train men and women who are committed to serving our country,” Sen. Booker said.
“Despite the importance in supporting and funding our national defense through this bill, I remain concerned that Congress remains complicit in not fully authorizing military force against ISIS and using off-the-books money to fund base requirements. Continuing to skirt these tough decisions is not a responsible, or sustainable, strategy,” Sen. Booker concluded.
Key provisions of the Fischer-Booker MARAD reauthorization bill include:
Strengthening Sexual Assault Prevention and Response at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:
· Midshipmen Sexual Assault Prevention Training: Ensures incoming midshipmen receive training on both sexual assault prevention and response as part of their orientation program. It also requires annual refresher training.
· Assault Victim Advocates: Compels the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) to designate and train volunteer sexual assault victim advocates. These advocates would help victims identify resources, understand their rights, and have access to assistance in navigating investigative, health, and recovery processes.
· Sexual Assault Response Coordinator: USMMA would be required to employ a full-time sexual assault response coordinator at or near the campus, thereby ensuring a strong management structure for training and support activities.
· 24/7 Victim Hotline Access: Guarantees access to a 24-hour hotline, which would allow sexual assault victims at USMMA to receive support services.
· Enhanced Congressional Oversight: Strengthens oversight and reporting for the sexual harassment and sexual assault prevention and response program at USMMA.
Restoring Efficient Program Management at the U.S. Maritime Administration:
· National Security Vessel Management Flexibility: Allows the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend (on a limited basis when in the national interest) the age restrictions for a vessel in the maritime security program. This would help ensure access to U.S.-flag vessels during times of national emergency.
· Standardizes MARAD Federal Workforce Training: Establishes a standardized training database and enhances workforce plans. It would also align training policies and systems at the Maritime Administration headquarters and field offices.
· Federal Employee Drug & Alcohol Policy Compliance: Requires fleet managers to receive training on DOT’s drug and alcohol policy to increase safety for employees working on or around vessels.
Bolstering Recruitment and Standards for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academy Midshipmen:
· Bolsters Academy Class: Provides the DOT with ten additional discretionary appointments at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. This would apply to cadets with unique characteristics, including prior military service, exceptional science and math accomplishment, and underrepresented geographic or demographic characteristics.
· Strengthens Standards for Midshipmen: Requires students at state maritime academies who receive funding from the DOT to meet the necessary medical and physical standards to serve in the merchant marines.