America's Cup Act of 2011

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3321.

While it may be identified as the America's Cup Act, and the reasons behind it having been clearly articulated by our good friends across the aisle, I want to drive home, as well, the fact that there are some additional issues that will be served by the passage of this bill. And what it relates to is a genuine opportunity today for people from both sides of the aisle to support the creation of genuine, blue-collar jobs immediately.

Mr. Speaker, what this bill will do is allow for a simple process to take place. In my own district of southeastern Pennsylvania, which is adjacent to the Delaware River, we have the opportunity to re-flag three vessels. What that means is three vessels that were built here in the United States, and that because of their service went outside the continent of the United States for a period of time, must now come back into the United States. In order to do that, they have to be able to comply with the Jones Act. With a simple vote today, we will be able to put these three vessels back into service here in the continental United States.

But the significance of this, most importantly, Mr. Speaker, in my backyard is the fact that what they will do is create the opportunity for the creation of new jobs that will relate to the utilization and transportation of the gas that is being developed in this country, 25 good, blue-collar jobs in my district which will sustain themselves, and close to 300 to 400 construction jobs in which people will be put to work as soon as possible building the extension of a pipeline that will go out into western Pennsylvania.

This is an opportunity for people from both sides of the aisle to put hardworking blue-collar workers back to work almost immediately by helping us cure what is a simple, technical issue. I strongly support the passage of this important bill because it will help put people back to work.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I too rise in support of this legislation, which would provide a narrow waiver from the coastwise laws for the vessels competing or supporting the upcoming America's Cup finals to be held in 2013.

The America's Cup, the world's premier international sailing competition, will be held in San Francisco Bay by virtue of the United States' successful challenge to reclaim the cup last year. This legislation is necessary to ensure that the competition can go forward in an expeditious manner for all competitors.

The legislation also includes several other vessel waivers that are included in H.R. 2828, which were cleared by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in September.

I appreciate as well that my request to waive the coastwise laws for the maritime education vessel, LUNA, has been included in this bill, as well as in the Coast Guard bill, and support passage of this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time.

In conclusion, let me just say that the America's Cup is the oldest competitive sailing competition. The U.S. held the Cup for over 134 years before losing to Australia off of Newport, Rhode Island. We are very proud to have reclaimed the Cup and look forward to defending it in 2013.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I support the passage of the America's Cup Act of 2011, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3321) to facilitate the hosting in the United States of the 34th America's Cup by authorizing certain eligible vessels to participate in activities related to the competition, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3321.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3321 provides a limited waiver of domestic cabotage laws for vessels participating in America's Cup and related races. It also provides waivers of cabotage laws for several other vessels and clarifies that vessels carried on a movable dry dock in Alaska are not considered merchandise under chapter 551 of title 46.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and am prepared to yield back if the gentleman from Washington is.

On to victory for America.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I unfortunately missed votes which included roll call votes 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, and 836.

If I had been present, I would have voted in opposition of rollcall vote 829, the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2838.

If I had been present, I would have voted in opposition of rollcall vote 830, H. Res. 455--Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2838-- Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011.

If I had been present, I would have voted in favor of rollcall vote 831, H.R. 3321--America's Cup Act of 2011.

If I had been present I would have cast the following votes on amendments to the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011: rollcall vote 832 (Cummings Amendment): ``yea;'' rollcall vote 833 (Thompson Amendment): ``yea;'' rollcall vote 834 (Napolitano Amendment): ``yea;'' rollcall vote 835 (Bishop Amendment): ``yea;'' rollcall vote 836 (Slaughter Amendment): ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 3321, the America's Cup Act of 2011. This legislation will allow officially competing and support vessels of the America's Cup to have a waiver from the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.

Since 1851 the America's Cup has been one of the sporting world's premier events. Taking place this year in my home state of California, the America's Cup will generate an estimated $1.2 billion in economic activity and create 8,000 jobs, activity and employment that California sorely needs.

Unfortunately, I was unavoidably detained during the floor vote on this bill and was unable to cast my official vote in support of the measure. If I were present at the time of the vote, I would have proudly cast an ``aye'' vote to provide race participants the waiver they need to further the excitement, pageantry and traditions of the America's Cup.