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Former Congressman John J. Faso (R-NY) penned an insightful piece in Newsday on the urgent need to modernize the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) Kings Point campus. Rep. Faso’s message will resonate with a growing number of policymakers who recognize that winning any potential conflict with China will depend heavily on a superior military sealift. This sealift is crucial for transporting troops, armaments, tanks, fuel, and other supplies to the front lines.

The majority of these vital supplies will be carried by sea, under the command of militarily obligated Merchant Marine Officers capable of operating in contested waters. Over 80% of these US Navy Strategic Sealift Officers are graduates of USMMA, all of whom are service-obligated.

As Rep. Faso aptly notes, the Academy requires full-scale modernization. Fortunately, Congress is increasingly aware of the importance of finally addressing the 1940s-era infrastructure at Kings Point, as evidenced by bipartisan legislation introduced in both the House and Senate last year.

Both bills use the well-regarded Full Speed Ahead plan as the basis for the ten-year upgrade.