Hearing

Witness List:

• The Honorable Rebecca Dye, Commissioner, Federal Maritime Commission | Witness Testimony

Opening remarks, as prepared, of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) from today’s hearing, entitled “Future of United States Maritime Part 1: Review of Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Maritime Commission Budget Request”:

We meet today to review the President’s fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

The FMC is an independent agency responsible for the regulation of ocean-borne transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States. They also protect shippers and carriers from unfair practices of foreign-flagged carrier alliances. The President’s fiscal year 2026 budget request includes $40 million to fund the salaries, operations, and capital needs of the FMC.

Today, we welcome our witness, Commissioner Rebecca Dye of the Federal Maritime Commission, to discuss the budget request, as well as the state of the ocean shipping industry and their ongoing work implementing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA). 

The FMC has worked diligently since the enactment of OSRA to implement its enhanced authorities, and I look forward to hearing from Commissioner Dye today on the status of FMC’s efforts.

Earlier this year, the FMC announced an investigation into vessel flagging laws, regulations, and practices of foreign countries. I fear these so called “flags of convenience” create unfavorable shipping conditions in the foreign trade of the United States.

Many vessels conducting international trade fly flags that differ from the nation where the ownership is based. The FMC is examining whether certain flag states may have standards that provide vessels with lower costs and oversight at the expense of reliability and safety. I look forward to hearing from Commissioner Dye on the progress of the investigation.

In line with President Trump’s executive order to restore American maritime dominance, we are working to bolster our domestic maritime capabilities, which are paramount to both the security and economic growth of our nation. I look forward to hearing from our witness on how the FMC plans to make United States maritime great again.