U.S. proposed changes to FMC in bill hr4005

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill (drafted by the transportation committee)
regarding the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

The essence of the changes regarding the FMC appears to limit the terms of the commissioners, AND, put restrictions on a Commissioner having any investments in the industry, and prohibits commissioners from holding a job in addition to being an  FMC Commissioner.

It's rather sad this must be added into the law, but can only presume there has been some breach of what should be good conduct by an appointed official.  Well, certainly wouldn't be the first time.

It appears the committee is also trying to figure out why U.S. Flag Vessels are not competitive.
Really?   It's quite sad they are asking the National Academy of Science and the U.S. Coast Guard
to prepare reports regarding this lack of competitiveness.  I guess it will give some academic types something to do.

Here's the short version.  The commercial shipping companies  buy ships built in China, Korea, and places which have really cheap labor,  AND crew their ships with people from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia.      AND, these companies aren't even making money at the moment.   This should be all that is needed to say, but logic is rarely introduced in Washington, D.C.

click here for the link to U.S. Bill hr4005