H.R. 2651 Fans Storm Senate Floor After Passage Of Bill

WASHINGTON—Diehard fans of H.R. 2651 charged the floor of the Senate chamber Tuesday after their bill, a 14-vote underdog nicknamed the Maritime Workforce Development Act, passed 51-49 with just moments to go in the legislative session. “They said we’d never even make it out of House subcommittee, but this bill just had too much heart to quit,” said longtime supporter Ed Wynarsky, who along with three friends spelled out “2651” with digits painted on their bare chests.† “I grew up following loans for maritime career education, and this has been a long time coming. We were due…. We were due.” A champagne-soaked Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), whose last-second vote clinched the bill’s passage, said the guys on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee deserved much of the credit, but that the biggest thanks should go to God.