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American Cargo for American Ships Act
6/21/2025, 6:26 PM
Summary of Bill HR 2035
This bill is intended to promote and support the American maritime industry by giving preference to US-flagged vessels when it comes to transporting Department of Transportation cargoes. By doing so, the bill aims to strengthen the US maritime industry, create jobs for American workers, and enhance national security by ensuring that critical cargoes are transported on US-owned vessels.
In addition to the main provision regarding cargo preference, the bill also includes other purposes, which may include additional regulations or requirements related to the transportation of Department of Transportation cargoes. Overall, Bill 119 HR 2035 seeks to prioritize the use of US-owned commercial vessels for transporting Department of Transportation cargoes in order to support the American maritime industry and enhance national security.
Congressional Summary of HR 2035
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.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 2035
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2035
Total Number of Sponsors
17Democrat Sponsors
17Republican Sponsors
0Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
1Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
1Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2035
Primary Policy Focus
Transportation and Public WorksAlternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2035
Comments
David Hopkins
6 months ago
I don't get why this bill is even a thing. It's like, why do we need to make it harder for stuff to get shipped around? It just seems like a waste of time and money. Who even benefits from this?
Mylah Simmons
5 months ago
I can't believe this bill is actually happening. It's going to hurt our economy and make it harder for me to afford goods. Why should we limit our options and pay more for shipping just to benefit a few American ships? This is ridiculous.
Loretta Kelly
5 months ago
I don't get why some people don't support this bill. How will it help us?
Scarlett Montgomery
5 months ago
I think this bill is great for American jobs and the economy. Will this help boost the shipping industry in the long run?
