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A bipartisan bill offered by U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), David Valadao (R-CA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) would authorize federal funds to rehabilitate, modernize, and construct facilities and infrastructure at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, N.Y. 'Maritime security is critical to our national security, and yet the academy has been allowed to fall into disrepair, threatening recruitment efforts as well as the quality of education the academy can provide,' Rep. Garbarino said. 'With this legislation, we aim to upgrade and modernize the USMMA’s facilities so that we may continue to produce best-in-class mariners and ensure the strength of our national sea power.' The congressman on May 22 sponsored H.R. 8498 alongside 10 original cosponsors, including Rep. Valadao, Rep. Fitzpatrick, and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), to authorize funds that would support the implementation of the Full Speed Ahead infrastructure plan created by The Maritime Security Infrastructure Council to address critical infrastructure needs at the USMMA. Specifically, funding would be authorized from fiscal years (FYs) 2024 through 2034, with funding in FY 2025 totaling $54 million for design and planning purchases at the USMMA, according to the text of the bill.
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