October 28, 2025
The Senator’s opening remarks can be found here.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, today led a hearing titled, “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding.” Members of the subcommittee heard from industry leaders on the need for a revitalization of the commercial shipbuilding industry so the United States can compete on a global scale.
The Senator utilized her opening statement to highlight the skyrocketing costs Americans face, and will continue to face, as a result of the prolonged government shutdown. To watch the full hearing, click here. Blunt Rochester’s opening remarks can be found here and below, as delivered.
“Thank you, Chairman Sullivan, and thank you to the witnesses for being here. I also want to thank Senator Mark Kelly for his leadership on these issues – these critical issues – and for taking time to even sit down with me in his office and explain why this is so important to him. And so, thank you, Senator Kelly as well.
“Reviving our nation’s shipbuilding sector would strengthen our national security, protect our supply chains, support our small businesses, and lower costs for everyday Americans. And while I agree that this is an important topic, it’s unfortunate we’re holding [this hearing] during a government shutdown. And I’d be disingenuous if I didn’t say that this is not normal.
“Millions of Americans are about to see their health care costs skyrocket and the loss of SNAP benefits will impact the ability of people to put food on the table. And so, to me, in this moment, we should be focused on reopening the government and making sure that this affordability crisis doesn’t further impact American families.
“Despite the President’s promises to lower costs on “day one,” costs are going up every day. Tariffs on steel and lumber certainly don’t help our shipbuilders. And I agree with the Chairman that three things are required: the House has to be here to work, the Senate has to continue to do the strong work that we’ve done historically and in a bipartisan way, and we need the President to be a part of this. And so, investing in our shipbuilding industry can help solve some of our affordability problems, and we are in desperate need. But the way we do it is together.
“Shipbuilding is more than an industry; it’s a strategic capability. It’s a cornerstone of American economic and national security, providing our nation with a skilled workforce with advanced manufacturing capacity, that can build and sustain vessels essential to both U.S. commerce and defense readiness. Yet workforce shortages, supply chain fragility, and aging infrastructure have undercut our ability to dominate in this sector. We should be ringing the alarm bells!
“But again, I’m deeply concerned this critical conversation will be overshadowed by the moment that we’re in. And I know that I join my colleagues in saying that the American people want us to come together, open the government, and make sure that their health care costs are not out of control.
“Thank you for your continued partnership, together, on these critical issues and at this moment. I yield back and look forward to the testimony, as well as asking our questions.”
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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.