Ranking Members Larsen, Carbajal Statements from Hearing on Rising Conflicts in the Red Sea

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"Thank you, Chairman Webster and Ranking Member Carbajal, for holding this hearing on the ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.

I look forward to learning about the status of domestic and international supply chains as well as the U.S. and international response.

Ninety percent of goods moved worldwide spend time on a ship. As a country that depends on maritime trade, the United States must do everything to ensure resilient supply chains.

For its part, the United States Navy continues to do an exceptional job to ensure free and open maritime trade around the world.

I was on this Committee when, in 2009, pirates captured the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia, the Navy ensured the safe return of the vessel and every mariner on board.

Unfortunately, a new threat exists--continuous and unpredictable Houthi attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

I would like to take a moment to formally recognize the work of the U.S. Navy, which is playing a leading role in Operation Prosperity Guardian and--with partner nations--is regularly thwarting Houthi attacks. As a result, ships continue to transit the region daily.

I am saddened though by the death of two Navy SEALs who perished during an operation last week to seize Iranian weapons bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram died protecting America's sovereignty, and their sacrifice kept deadly weapons out of the hands of terrorists.

However, the threat posed by Houthi rebels persists. To avoid this challenge, some operators have diverted their vessels around the Horn of Africa, adding 10 to 12 days, increased carbon emissions and $1 million in operating costs to their voyages.

Those who do transit the Red Sea face significant increases in their insurance premiums or risk being dropped altogether. In either case, the result is higher prices for U.S. consumers.

Over the past 4 years, the global supply chain has been tested in ways previously unimaginable.

From these Houthi attacks in the Red Sea to historic drought conditions at the Panama Canal to COVID-19-related backlogs, one thing is clear--smooth sailing on the high seas should not be taken for granted.

Congress responded to the COVID-19 supply chain crisis in several ways.

First, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Among other things, the BIL invests $2.25 billion in the Port Infrastructure Development Program.

That investment will help ensure that ports are prepared for inevitable fluctuations in cargo that jeopardize the seamless movement of goods.

Second, Congress passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which ensures fair and transparent policies and practices associated with international shipping.

In 2009, in the wake of the piracy attack on the Maersk ALABAMA, this Subcommittee took immediate action by holding hearings and coordinating a comprehensive federal response to ensure the protection of U.S. ships and U.S. mariners.

That response involved the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Commerce and the Coast Guard.

The result was the immediate protection of U.S. flagged ships as well as a coordinated international effort to apprehend and prosecute pirates and associated criminal organizations.

This time, even more is needed. The Houthi threat requires an international response that goes beyond a justified response in attacking Houthi aggression.

Today, we will hear from Dr. Ralby about the need to empower Yemen to combat the threat internally.

Just as the U.S. should continue to stand by Ukraine, we must support our friends around the world--their security and sovereignty is our security and sovereignty.

While we cannot control the rain in Panama, Congress can ensure that our infrastructure here at home works.

That means continued investment in roads, rail, airports, ports, vessels and the women and men that make transportation work.

It's not too soon to start considering what that next investment in infrastructure and the U.S. maritime industry will look like.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that the investments started in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are continued. I would note as well that we have the responsibility on this Committee, and this Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, to look at supply chain issues with regards to shipping around the world and shipping in the U.S.--and that's the focus of this hearing.

Thank you, Chairman Webster, and I look forward to hearing from our witnesses."

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