According to Congress.gov, the Department of Transportation said it received a nomination from President Donald Trump for U.S. Navy Capt. Brent Sadler (Ret.) to become the next administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (Marad). The nomination was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology.
Sadler is a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Additional information from Marad or the Trump Administration about Sadler, such as why he was nominated, is not available.
On March 4, President Trump told Congress that his administration plans to boost U.S. shipbuilding, pledging support for both military and commercial vessel construction.
“We are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding," Trump said. “We used to make so many ships. We don’t make them anymore very much, but we’re going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact to further enhance our national security."
Trump announced the creation of a White House Office of Shipbuilding as part of the effort. He also proposed “special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America, where it belongs," but did not offer specifics. The White House has not provided additional details on the office’s scope or leadership.
How Sadler, as Marad's boss, fits into Trump’s plans is unknown at this time.
Currently, Charles Makings, deputy maritime administrator, is acting administrator since U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ann Philips (Ret.) stepped down as Maritime Administrator back in January.
