U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) on March 27 proposed a bipartisan bill that would authorize more than $1 billion over a decade to modernize the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy campus in Kings Point, N.Y.
H.R. 2429, which Rep. Garbarino sponsored alongside four cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Laura Gillen (D-NY), aims to bolster national security and maritime readiness through investment in one of the nation’s five federal service academies, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
“For generations, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has trained the men and women who keep our supply chains moving and our national defense strong,” said Rep. Garbarino, a member of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Board of Visitors. “But the infrastructure on campus must keep up with the rigorous demands placed on today’s midshipmen. This bill ensures the academy remains a world-class institution worthy of its mission.”
If enacted, H.R. 2429 would authorize $1.02 billion from fiscal years 2026 to 2035 via the Maritime Security Trust Fund, beginning with $54 million for design and planning in the first year and annual construction funding of over $107 million thereafter, the summary says.
Additionally, the bill would call for full operational continuity at the academy throughout construction and would recommend using design-build contracting to speed delivery and reduce costs.
“For more than 80 years, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has been the pride of Long Island,” said Rep. Gillen. “I’m proud to join Rep. Garbarino and my colleagues in working together for Long Island and leading this bipartisan bill to strengthen Long Island’s tradition of producing the best midshipmen and mariners in the world.”