Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) voiced support for the manager’s amendment to bolster shoreside infrastructure, protect port security, and ensure longshore workers are included in national discussions on autonomous maritime systems. Strickland’s remarks are transcribed below, and can be viewed here:
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland: Thank you, Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen, as well as Subcommittee Chair Ezell and Ranking Member Carbajal.
This bill authorizes crucial investments in shoreside infrastructure, support for servicemembers and their families, and security protections for ports and waterways that put the service on a strong path for growth as polar, Indo-Pacific, and other mission demands escalate.
I’m speaking in support of the manager’s amendment, which includes a crucial provision to ensure that longshore workers have a voice in our national conversation about the use and regulation of autonomous maritime systems. In short, we want to make sure they have a seat on the National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.
Representing this Puget Sound, where maritime industry is a key economic driver and integral to our regional identity, this is crucially important.
As automation and new technologies emerge and reshape how our ports operate, we have a responsibility to ensure that all impacted stakeholder groups – especially workers – are included in discussions that will define the future of the maritime industry.
I want to thank the Committee for making sure that longshore workers unions, in addition to merchant mariners unions, are part of the new National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems that this bill creates.
Including the longshoreman’s perspective will give us a more complete understanding of how automation is affecting – and can affect – ports and port operations as new technologies come online. We must account for how automation impacts not only the maritime industry itself but also the workers represented and employed in the industry.
I want to thank the Committee for including this provision, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Mike Ezell: Thank you, Miss Strickland.
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