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American Maritime Officers understands one
very simple political truth: the fate of the active, privately owned and
operated U.S. merchant fleet in all trades is determined in Washington,
D.C.
Working from an office in the capital, AMO
protects its members' professional interests by helping to fend off
persistent threats to laws and programs that sustain the fleet in foreign
and domestic markets, and by promoting new opportunities for U.S.-flag cargo
and cruise vessel operators.
AMO's experienced, well-known and widely
respected Washington staff monitors developments on Capitol Hill and tracks
the work of Executive Branch agencies like the Maritime Administration and
the Coast Guard in the Department of Transportation and the Navy's Military
Sealift Command in the Department of Defense.
AMO's considerable legislative success can be partially attributed to the strength of the union's Voluntary Political Action Fund, which is supported by contributions from AMO members. The VPAF is used solely for Congressional campaigns and does not fund any AMO employee expenses or salaries.
AMO also works with other unions through the
Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO and with industry trade
associations like American Maritime Officers Service, the Lake Carriers Association,
and the American Shipbuilding Association on matters of common interest.
AMO is an active member of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, which is working to
preserve the Jones Act and comparable laws, and of the Great Lakes Maritime
Task Force, which promotes the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway shipping
system and port range. The union is also active in the London-based
International Transport
Workers' Federation, which leads the worldwide
fight against proliferating FOC registries and the abuses they foster.
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Defense of the Jones Act of 1920 and the Passenger Vessel Services Act
of 1886.
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Full funding for the Maritime Security Program under the Maritime
Security Act of 1996.
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Continued support for shipbuilding loan and mortgage guarantees under
Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.
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Maximum peacetime crewing and operation of U.S. Ready Reserve Force
sealift ships.
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Long-term lease authority for the private sector operation of U.S. Navy
fleet auxiliary and support vessels.
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Sufficient funding of sealift ship construction and conversion and the
installation of defense features on suitable merchant ships.
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Continued enforcement of the U.S.-flag cargo preference laws of 1904,
1954, and 1985.
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