Vol. 114 - No. 103 - June 1, 2010

House Committee Approves 10-year Extension of Maritime Security Program

The House Committee on Armed Services has taken action to ensure the continuation of the Maritime Security Program (MSP). Specifically, section 3502 of HR 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2011, extends MSP through fiscal year 2025. As presently authorized, the program is scheduled to expire at the end of fiscal year 2015. The committee passed the extension to enable the Department of Defense to undertake long-term planning with the certainty that it can count on the ships, civilian maritime manpower and logistical resources that MSP provides.

Although it voted to extend the MSP program, the committee deferred any action on its specific terms, including those related to the number of vessels enrolled and the amount of annual payment that each would be eligible to receive during the new ten-year period.

It is expected that the House of Representatives will complete action on HR 5136 prior to the Congressional July 4th recess.