The bill
Save Our Ships Act
HR. 5970, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
Sponsored by
Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]
ID: N000188
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 5970, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
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Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
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2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. The "Save Our Ships Act" - because what America really needs is more taxpayer-funded nostalgia for its military-industrial complex.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's stated purpose is to establish a grant program to conserve and preserve historic military ships and submarines, ensuring their continued availability for public education and inspiration. How quaint. In reality, this bill is a thinly veiled attempt to funnel more money into the pockets of special interest groups and pork-barrel projects.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a new grant program within the Department of the Interior, which will be administered by the Secretary in consultation with the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense. The program will provide funding for the physical preservation of historic military vessels, as well as education and workforce development programs related to military maritime careers.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: private nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and of course, the defense industry. These entities will be eligible to receive grants under the program, which is expected to cost $5 million annually. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that several of the bill's sponsors have received significant campaign contributions from defense contractors.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "legislative lip service." It sounds good on paper, but in reality, it will do little to address the actual needs of historic military vessels or promote meaningful education and workforce development. Instead, it will serve as a vehicle for politicians to grandstand about their commitment to preserving America's military heritage while lining the pockets of their donors.
The real disease here is not the lack of funding for historic ships, but rather the chronic case of corruption and cronyism that infects our legislative process. This bill is just another symptom of a system that prioritizes special interests over the public good.
Diagnosis: Terminal stupidity, with a side of corruption and greed. Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach for the absurdity of it all.
Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
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Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 26 nodes and 20 connections (35 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $67,300
Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.
Section 2(c)(2) mentions implementing education and workforce development programs related to military maritime careers, including shipbuilding and submarine construction, which could benefit defense contractors.
Section 2(c)(1) discusses physical upkeep and repair of historic vessels, which could involve construction and engineering services.
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
HELP Response and Recovery Act