Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon sent a letter to Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation, encouraging the U.S. Department of Transportation to choose the Philadelphia Shipyard to construct the fleet of U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels.

This letter received bipartisan support from members of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware congressional delegations.

For over two decades, the Philadelphia Shipyard served as a major infrastructure and workforce driver for the region through the leadership of labor and economic stakeholders. The Shipyard has produced world class ships and is home to the most qualified workforce in the country.

“Nearly half of all the U.S. large commercial vessels built since 2003 were constructed right here in Philadelphia,” Congresswoman Scanlon said. “But, our shipbuilding workforce has been hit hard by a recent decline in ship orders. This project could help put many workers who have been laid off back to work.” 

The vessels built through this new construction will be designed to perform training and support disaster relief and humanitarian operations.

Congresswoman Scanlon was sworn into the 116^th Congress on January 3, 2019. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and is a member of the House Rules Committee.

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