Hearings

Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding

October 28, 2025
10:00 AM

Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman Sullivan Announces Subcommittee Hearing on October 28th 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, will convene a hearing titled “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding” on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 10:00 am EST. This hearing will examine how to modernize and accelerate U.S. commercial shipbuilding while strengthening America’s broader maritime industrial base.

The hearing will hear testimony from private industry and policy experts on federal maritime procurement. The hearing will also focus on President Trump’s efforts within the National Security Council to “Make Shipbuilding Great Again” and help to contextualize issues that are likely to be addressed in the administration’s upcoming Maritime Action Plan.

Upon announcing this hearing, Sen. Sullivan said:

“Our nation faces a critical strategic challenge as foreign competitors, especially China, lead global shipbuilding while our domestic capacity remains very limited. This hearing will be an important step toward understanding the obstacles and identifying policy solutions to rebuild a robust, competitive U.S. shipbuilding industry—one that supports good-paying American jobs, strengthens our maritime workforce, and ensures our national security in key regions like the Arctic. I look forward to working with my colleagues, industry leaders, and experts to restore American maritime dominance.”

Sen. Cruz said:

“Texas is a maritime powerhouse. Our ports drive commerce, support thousands of jobs, and serve as a critical frontline for national security. I was proud to help secure a deal to build three icebreakers in Galveston, the single largest increase in U.S. shipbuilding capacity in decades, which will support a projected 7,000 skilled Texas jobs. I look forward to continuing to advance President Trump’s vision to restore American maritime dominance.”

Witnesses:

  • Mr. Matt Paxton, President, Shipbuilders Council of America
  • Mr. Jeff Vogel, Vice President of Legal, TOTE Services  
  • Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano, Professor, Campbell University
  • Ms. Tuuli Snow, Talent Acquisition & Engagement Manager, Snow & Company, Inc.

Details:

WHAT: Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries hearing titled “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding”

DATE: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

TIME: 10:00 A.M. EST

LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the Committee web site and YouTube.

MEDIA INFO: Reporters wanting to attend the committee please contact your respective media gallery to RSVP.

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