Latest action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Originating chamber has voted to pass. Sent to the other chamber.
The House voted to pass the bill. It now moves to the Senate, which repeats the committee referral and floor-vote process.
Next: Passed Both Chambers
Conference committee (if versions differ), then the President
Requires American cargo on U.S. ships for certain maritime transportation routes.
The problem
U.S. shipping industry faces competition from foreign carriers. American ships may lose cargo business to cheaper foreign alternatives, weakening domestic maritime capacity.
The proposal
The bill mandates that specified cargo shipments use American-flagged vessels rather than foreign ships for designated maritime routes and transportation needs.
The impact
U.S. shipping companies, maritime workers, and importers/exporters are affected. Domestic shippers gain protected cargo while importers may face higher transportation costs.
Protects American shipping companies from foreign competition by guaranteeing cargo volume. Helps maintain a viable domestic fleet for economic and defense purposes. Supports long-term maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding capacity.
Increases work for American sailors, dock workers, and ship crews. Creates stable employment in maritime sectors across U.S. ports. Benefits related industries like shipbuilding and maintenance.
Maintains domestic shipping capability for emergency situations and national defense. Reduces dependency on foreign vessels for critical cargo transport. Preserves strategic maritime infrastructure.
Protects domestic industries from over-reliance on foreign shipping rates. Keeps maritime revenue and profits within the U.S. economy. Supports port communities and related businesses.
American ships typically cost more to operate than foreign vessels. Businesses and consumers may face increased costs for imported goods. Could reduce competitiveness of U.S. importers in global markets.
Restrictions on ship choice may limit scheduling flexibility and routing options. Could delay cargo delivery times and complicate supply chains. May burden importers and exporters with additional logistics constraints.
Foreign countries may impose similar restrictions on U.S. cargo and ships. Could create trade tensions and limit opportunities for American exporters. May harm U.S. shipping companies trying to access foreign markets.
U.S. maritime fleet may lack sufficient vessels to handle all mandated cargo. Could create bottlenecks and shortages if American ships cannot meet demand. May require significant investment to expand domestic fleet capacity.
Generated by AI from the bill text. Not a prediction and not legal or policy advice. The percentage is the model's own rating of each item — self-reported, and not a measure of how accurate it is.
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Individual contributions, grouped by employer · FEC
Where their individual donors work · 2026 cycle
Money from people who work there, not from the company. Not tied to this bill.
Itemized individual contributions via FEC, grouped by the employer each contributor self-reported. Companies and unions cannot contribute to federal candidates from their treasuries, so these totals are money from people who work at an employer — never from the organization itself. They are campaign contributions covering a full election cycle and are not connected to this bill.
Senate LDA lobbying disclosures
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