SOS Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2125

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Last Updated

2025-06-06T14:17:56Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Save Our Shipyards Act of 2025" (H.R. 2125), also known as the "SOS Act of 2025," aims to create a temporary commission to examine the state of the U.S. maritime industry. The goal is to identify challenges to its strength and competitiveness, with a strong emphasis on supporting national defense needs, such as military shipbuilding and a skilled workforce. The commission will recommend policies to Congress and the President to bolster the industry, revitalize the naval fleet, and protect U.S. jobs in seafaring and shipbuilding.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Commission: Creates the "National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base" (SOS Commission) as an independent body to investigate the U.S. maritime sector, including shipyards, shipbuilding, repairs, harbors, and workforce.
• Functions and Scope:
• Conduct a study on the industry's current condition and future outlook over the next 10 years.
• Focus on national defense readiness, adequacy of skilled workers and training, and barriers to competitiveness.
• Recommend policies to achieve a robust maritime industry for defense, fleet maintenance, shipbuilding capacity, and job preservation.
• Specific Matters to Address:
• Industry's role in national security.
• Workforce shortages and training needs.
• Federal actions needed, such as reducing tax and regulatory burdens, providing incentives for investments and skilled labor, countering foreign subsidies, preparing for great power competition or conflict, and prioritizing security in regulations.
• Membership and Operations:
• 15 voting commissioners (appointed by the President, congressional leaders) who are experts in shipping, trade, policy, and related fields, representing operators, labor, builders, shippers, and finance.
• 7 non-voting members from military and maritime agencies (e.g., Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Administration).
• Serves without pay but with travel reimbursement; quorum requires 10 voting members; can form panels, hire staff, and access federal support and data (non-confidential).
• Chair designated by the President in consultation with congressional leaders; security clearances provided as needed.
• Reporting and Timeline:
• First meeting within 90 days of two-thirds voting member appointments.
• Final report to President and Congress within 1 year of first meeting, including unclassified recommendations with optional classified annex.
• Commission terminates 30 days after report submission.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new entity—the SOS Commission—without amending or repealing prior laws. It builds on existing maritime policies (e.g., those related to the Merchant Marine Act) by mandating a targeted study and recommendations, potentially influencing future legislation but not enacting changes itself.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Military branches (Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps) and civilian entities (Maritime Administration, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) provide non-voting input and support, potentially leading to streamlined regulations or incentives that ease their operations in shipbuilding and defense readiness.
• Citizens: Could indirectly benefit maritime workers by recommending measures to reduce job losses and attract skilled labor, fostering job growth in shipyards and seafaring. No direct citizen mandates or costs are imposed.
• International Relations: Addresses foreign government subsidies and great power competition (e.g., with nations like China), which may strengthen U.S. negotiating positions in trade and security pacts, enhancing naval capabilities without immediate diplomatic shifts.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Maritime Industry Players: Shipbuilders, vessel operators (including passenger services), shippers, and financial experts in maritime finance, who gain a platform for input on incentives and regulations.
• Labor Force: Seafarers, shipyard workers, and trainees at U.S. facilities, represented through expert appointments focused on job preservation and workforce development.
• Military and Government Entities: Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, U.S. Naval War College, Maritime Administration, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, which contribute expertise and may see policy recommendations tailored to defense needs.
• Congress and President: Receive the report for potential action, affecting bipartisan oversight of national security and economic policy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Ensures access to non-confidential federal data and reimbursable agency support, aligning with standard commission frameworks (e.g., under the Federal Advisory Committee Act). Classified annex provisions respect security laws without creating new confidentiality rules.
• Constitutional: Balanced appointments across executive and legislative branches promote separation of powers and bipartisan collaboration, avoiding undue executive dominance.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship and appointments could build consensus on national security issues, potentially leading to follow-on legislation on trade protections or subsidies. As a study commission, it carries low immediate risk but high potential for influencing defense budgets and industrial policy amid global tensions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Save Our Shipyards Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (9 pages)