American Cargo for American Ships Act

Bill: 119-hr-2035
Sponsor: Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Introduced: 2025-03-11 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Marine and inland water transportation
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2025-03-11
text: 

American Cargo for American Ships Act

This bill requires 100% of equipment, materials, and commodities procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and transported on ocean vessels to be transported on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels. (Current 
cargo preference 
laws require that a minimum percentage of federally financed ocean cargo be transported on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels. For civilian agencies and agricultural cargo, the minimum is generally 50%.)

Specifically, the bill imposes the requirement on DOT (for cargo it contracts for or procures for itself) and recipients of DOT funding (for cargo DOT has financed with federal funds or advanced funds for the recipient to obtain). As under current cargo preference laws, the requirement applies to the extent those vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates for U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, in a manner that will ensure fair and reasonable participation of U.S.-flagged commercial vessels by geographic area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-06-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 373 - 14 (Roll no. 157). (text: CR H2546-2547)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 373 - 14 (Roll no. 157). (text: CR H2546-2547)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2557-2558)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2035.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2546-2547)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-06-06
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.
action_date: 2025-06-06
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.
action_date: 2025-06-06
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
action_date: 2025-03-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2025-03-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2025-03-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-03-11
text: Introduced in House