White House Maritime Action Plan Highlights Need for SHIPS Act

Last week, the Trump Administration released its Maritime Action Plan as directed under President Trump’s executive order titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” signed on April 9, 2025. This plan calls for a reinvigoration of the U.S. shipbuilding industry and lays out steps to achieve this goal.

I am grateful to President Trump and his team for devoting time and attention to revitalizing our maritime industrial base. This plan is a much-needed, holistic approach to restore American commercial shipping dominance. There is substantial overlap between the President’s vision and the plan we’ve proposed in the SHIPS for America Act, which will provide the resources needed to rebuild America’s domestic shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

Last week's announcement should serve as a wake-up call for Congress to act quickly on this bill in order to provide the legal authorities and resources necessary to make this plan a reality. It’s time to make American ships again.

See the full text of the SHIPS for America Act here.

The Importance of Local News for Hoosiers

Last week, I discussed the importance of local news to Hoosier communities during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that focused on the Federal Communications Commission’s current broadcast media ownership rules in light of today’s evolving media landscape.

In my remarks, I said that if Hoosiers don’t have access to their local news, it can be an impediment to useful information and the decisions they make, the actions they take. Our sense of community cannot be undermined.

Watch my full remarks by clicking here or above.

Improving Child Care Accessibility for Working Families

Hoosier parents rely on affordable child care in order to work, advance their careers, and provide for their families. Currently, child care options are extremely limited for families, especially in rural Indiana communities.

I recently introduced the After Hours Child Care Act to improve access to affordable child care for families with parents working nontraditional hours. This bill would support expanding legitimate existing child care programs, or establishing new facilities in some cases, so parents can remain in the workforce and provide for their families while working outside of the traditional work hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The legislation would help address the needs of working parents, enabling them to more easily pursue employment opportunities that best fit the need of their families. Read more about this bill here.

See the full text of this bill here.

U.S. Department of Education's 1776 Award

I’m excited to see the U.S. Department of Education launch the Presidential 1776 Award, a national competition to promote American civics. This is an opportunity for high school students to showcase their knowledge and help celebrate America’s 250 years.

Habitat for Humanity

I had a great visit with Hoosier leaders from Habitat for Humanity to discuss affordable housing solutions, including my Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act.

See the full text of this legislation here.

Help for Hoosiers 

Navigating federal agencies can be difficult. My staff and I are here to assist Hoosiers who are having trouble receiving benefits, have questions regarding a program or procedure, or have not heard back from these agencies in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we can help here.

Local News

Marshall County Post – U.S. Senator Young applauds White House Maritime Action Plan, urges passage of SHIPS for America Act

The Ripon Advance – Young, Hinson offer bicameral After Hours Child Care Act

WBIC – Young: Fading Local News Is a Fundamental Threat to Democracy

Indianapolis Business Journal – Defense Department turns to startup to meet growing quantum computing needs

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead. 

In Service,