Brown, Ryan, Kaptur Join Ohio Workers, Business & Labor Leaders to Promote Lorain, Lordstown Naval Submarine Project

LORAIN, OH - Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) joined Ohio labor leaders and employees, and representatives from Bartlett Maritime Corporation to support efforts to build a submarine service facility in Lorain and repair facility in Lordstown. This proposal has the potential to bring thousands of good-paying, union jobs to northeast Ohio. Brown spoke at the rally in support of bringing shipping jobs back to the area.

"Ohio workers have the talent and the skills to ensure we have a modern Navy, stronger than any in the world," said Brown. "They just need leaders who actually make them a priority. I'm going to keep working with Tim and Marcy and with Ohio workers and companies to press for military investment in Ohio - and for all investments that have the potential to create Ohio jobs."

"There are no workforces better equipped than Lordstown and Lorain to carry out the needs of our nation's submarine fleet," said Congressman Ryan. "Time after time, Ohio workers have showed up to answer our nation's greatest challenges. Now it's time our government shows up for Ohio workers. I will continue to fight like hell to create these good-paying jobs in Ohio and give every working Ohioan economic freedom and a fair shot at the American Dream."

"As the nation's fourth seacoast, the Great Lakes region is a prime location to meet the Navy's needs for the future," said Congresswoman Kaptur. "Ohio has a long, proud history of advancing the cause of America's defense, and the hardworking men and women of labor are ready to get to work in support of the mission. I stand with them and will fight with my colleagues to ensure the Lorain-Lordstown Project receives the fair consideration it deserves."

"Union workers built this country and strengthened our national security. Ohioans in Lorain, Lordstown and across the state are ready now to do our part by expanding and improving our Naval shipyard performance," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga. "Strategic investments in the Marine Highway are crucial to the Navy's efficiencies and readiness and workers in Ohio and the Great Lakes region have what it takes to advance this mission."

"America is at an inflection point and it is almost impossible to overstate how important this point in time really is," said Jimmy Hart, president of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO. "Our country must decide at this moment how we will manage our economic, national security and climate goals. It is time for tested, national leadership to step up and I'm here to let America know that a defining moment in American history begins here today in Lorain, Ohio."

In February, Brown, along with Ryan, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Reps. Shontel Brown (D-OH), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro expressing their concern about the maintenance backlogs at the Navy's four government-operated naval shipyards and encouraged the Navy to consider establishing a Great Lakes maintenance facility.