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REP GARAMENDI, SEN KELLY: We must work together to make America a shipbuilding power

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As international competition for trade, commerce and military power in the Pacific grow, America’s maritime decline threatens our national security and our economy. The only way to fix it is to rebuild American shipbuilding with American workers and American crews.

In the 20th century, we were a dominant maritime power, with massive fleets and shipyards that helped secure victory in World War II and meant most goods traveled the world on U.S.-built ships. But that edge has disappeared over time. For much of the 21st century, shipbuilding remained on the back burner of national priorities, shipyards shrank and closed, taking good-paying jobs with them.

China now dominates the world’s sea lanes and is massively outbuilding the United States on merchant and naval fleets. China has the world’s largest commercial fleet and is building over 1,000 vessels every year. In 2024, the United States built only five merchant vessels, while China built 1,400. China also has three times as many naval warships as the United States.

This has dangerous implications for our economic and maritime security. In the event of a military or trade conflict, President Xi Jinping could prohibit Chinese ships from entering American ports, an action that could cause industry bottlenecks, cut off supply to needed goods and jack up prices — basically overnight.

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This is not just hypothetical. On April 3, 2025, China leveraged its virtual industrial shipping monopoly and prevented rare earth exports to the U.S., thereby kneecapping U.S. production on everything from smartphones to fighter jets. Although China’s action was ultimately narrow in scope, it showed the world that China could flex its muscle on the world’s seas with devastating effects for the United States and the global economy.

To maintain our economic and military leadership, America must rebuild its maritime industry.

And today, we have a president who seems to recognize this urgent need. In February, President Donald Trump unveiled his Maritime Action Plan, a blueprint to make American ships again. It would provide long-term and stable funding for U.S.-built ships, shipyards and mariners and cut regulatory red tape to meet the maritime needs of our country today.

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We share the goal of revitalizing the U.S. maritime sector. That’s why we introduced the SHIPS for America Act with Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young and Mississippi Republican Rep. Trent Kelly. It’s the most ambitious and comprehensive legislation in a generation to set America on the path to regain our position as the greatest maritime power in the world. 

The SHIPS for America Act sets a national goal of expanding the U.S.-flagged international fleet by 250 ships over 10 years, upgrading and expanding America’s private shipyards for repairing and building commercial ships, training and employing skilled workers and providing funding through the creation of the Strategic Commercial Fleet Program. 

Whether you’re talking about Mare Island in California or Gulf Port in Mississippi, this comprehensive bill would deliver much-needed investments to America’s rusted maritime sector. It would modernize shipyards, strengthen workforce development and stabilize supply chains so that we can have a modern, capable merchant and naval fleet while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. All of that sends a signal to the industry: American shipbuilding is back, and it’s time to invest in it.

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That will create thousands of good-paying American jobs where workers can actually raise a family, save for the future and get ahead. Our SHIPS for America Act is about more than building ships in ports. It’s about building every part of a ship in America.

From the steel that makes up the ship’s hull to the electronics that are necessary to navigate across oceans, this will galvanize every industry that plays a part in building ships, benefiting not just coastal cities, but hardworking communities in every corner of the country.

Never before have we witnessed such comprehensive alignment among Republicans and Democrats, industry and organized labor for rebuilding our great nation’s maritime industry.

It’s clear to us that the opportunity is now. Let’s get to work.

Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly represents Arizona in the U.S. Senate. He serves on the Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Energy and Natural Resources, Aging, and Joint Economic Committees. He is chair of the Airland Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SENATOR MARK KELLY

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California man sentenced to prison for using pickaxe to kill teen brother with cerebral palsy

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A California man was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to the pickaxe murder of his teenage half-brother, who had cerebral palsy and used a wheelchair.

Zuberi Sharp, 26, was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty in March to the second-degree murder of his 15-year-old half-brother, Zayde, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

He also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that he inflicted great bodily injury, that he used a weapon in the commission of the crime and that the victim was vulnerable.

On Dec. 5, 2024, deputies were called to a home on the 400 block of Jeanne Court in Newbury Park shortly after 8 p.m. following his mother’s 911 call from Zayde’s mother, who reported that her son had been struck in the head with an object.

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The victim’s mother reported that Sharp had attacked Zayde with a pickaxe inside a shed in the backyard.

The teen’s uncle heard a loud thud and rushed to the shed to check on the two brothers. He observed Sharp standing over Zayde while holding a pickaxe.

Zayde was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Meanwhile, Sharp fled the scene and was later found at nearby Newbury Park High School, where deputies took him into custody after receiving reports of a man acting erratically on the football field, authorities said.

The incident forced a lockdown, as student-athletes were on the field when he arrived.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of a violent and senseless act against a vulnerable victim,” Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said in a press release. “While nothing can undo this loss, it ensures the defendant is held accountable and that the victim’s family has been spared the trauma of a trial.”

Investigators never released a motive for the attack, but family members told KTLA they believed Sharp was having a manic episode at the time.

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“It’s hard,” Zayde’s mother previously told the outlet at a ceremony to honor her son. “It’s been really hard. Pain every day.”

Sharp is also the son of convicted killer Calvin Sharp, who killed a 6-year-old boy with a meat cleaver in 2007. He pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Sharp’s legal team. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office directed inquiries to Tuesday’s press release.

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Kentucky man accused of kidnapping, killing woman and keeping her body under trailer before disposal

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A Kentucky man is set to go to trial next year after he allegedly abducted and killed a woman, wrapped her body, stored it under his trailer and dumped it on the side of a road seven years ago, according to authorities.

Ryan “Todd” Crawley had his trial date set for May 17–28 of next year in connection with the 2019 death of April Arnett, the Scott County Circuit Court said, according to WKYT.

He was indicted earlier this year on charges of murder, kidnapping and evidence tampering. Crawley pleaded not guilty to the murder and kidnapping charges after he previously pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and abuse of a corpse.

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Crawley has pleaded not guilty to the murder and kidnapping charges, and those charges remain pending. His attorneys have argued that the timing of the new charges — nearly seven years after Arnett’s death — raises questions about the case. Court documents allege Crawley was involved in Arnett’s kidnapping and killing.

His lawyers, who have sought to maintain their client’s innocence on the more serious charges, have highlighted that the murder and kidnapping charges were filed nearly seven years after the 2019 incident.

On Aug. 17, 2019, at about 9 p.m., Kentucky State Police were notified about a body later identified as Arnett that was found off KY Highway 2328, also known as Old Lexington Road, in Madison County.

Police say the discovery was made four days after Arnett’s alleged death in Scott County.

Crawley allegedly wrapped up Arnett’s body before storing it under his trailer, court documents say, according to WLEX.

Four other people, including the defendant’s cousin Ronald Crawley, were charged with helping kidnap Arnett.

Authorities said the two Crawleys drove into Madison County over the Old Clays Ferry Bridge with Arnett’s body wrapped in a tarp with cinder blocks attached. The pair attempted to toss her body into the water, but it became stuck on a guy wire, at which point the men put Arnett’s body back into the vehicle and dumped it off the side of the road, where she was ultimately found.

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Ronald Crawley was arrested in Oregon in 2019 after allegedly fleeing to the state.

Arnett was a mother of three, according to her obituary, which said she “will forever be known for her big heart and infectious smile.”

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Two planes come within 500 feet of each other while approaching JFK Airport in latest close call

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Two planes had a close call while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Monday, with flight-tracking data reportedly showing they came within roughly 500 feet vertically of each other.

The incident came one day after a separate plane struck a light pole and damaged a bakery truck while landing in New Jersey, marking the latest in a string of aviation close calls.

Air traffic control audio shows a controller at JFK alerted the pilot of a Delta flight, operated by its subsidiary Endeavor Air, to a smaller aircraft flying less than 500 feet above them, according to ABC7.

Data from Flightradar24 cited by ABC7 shows the planes were separated by about 475 feet vertically as their paths crossed. The Endeavor aircraft was at about 2,100 feet, while the Cirrus plane was at roughly 2,575 feet.

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The Federal Aviation Administration said Endeavor Air Flight 5289 was on final approach to Runway 22L around 5:15 p.m. Monday when a Cirrus SR22 crossed overhead while preparing to land on Runway 22R.

“Air traffic control provided traffic advisories to both pilots, and each reported the other in sight,” the FAA said. “The required separation was maintained.” 

The Endeavor pilot told controllers the flight crew received a traffic advisory, followed by a resolution advisory from the aircraft’s collision avoidance system, ABC7 reported.

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Audio captured the exchange between controllers and the flight crew.

“Endeavor 5289 yeah I’m not talking to him. He’s 500 feet above you now left to right half a mile in front of you,” a controller said, according to the report.

“And tower Endeavor 5289 he just flew about 500 feet right over so looks like he’s taking a left turn now,” the pilot responded.

INQUIRY BEGUN AFTER AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT REPORTS MYSTERIOUS BLUE LIGHT WHILE TRYING TO LAND

Monday’s incident is the latest in a series of close calls that have drawn increased scrutiny from federal regulators and lawmakers.

On Sunday, a United Airlines flight traveling from Venice, Italy, to Newark Liberty International Airport struck a light pole and damaged a bakery truck during its descent around 2 p.m. The 221 passengers and 10 crew members aboard were not injured, and the plane landed safely.

JFK also experienced a close call last month when two passenger jets came too close on approach, triggering onboard collision warnings and a federal investigation.

In that incident, the FAA said Republic Airways Flight 4464 performed a go-around after missing its approach path and flying too close to Air Canada Express Flight 8554, which had been cleared to land on a parallel runway.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the FAA, Delta and Cirrus for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.

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