H.R. 2035 Passed the House Transportation and Public Works

American Cargo for American Ships Act

To amend title 46, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that all cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation are transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] Introduced March 11, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 R) Latest action June 10, 2025

Summary

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. 

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Jun 10, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Jun 9, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Jun 9, 2025 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)
  4. Jun 9, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2557-2558)
  5. Jun 9, 2025 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.
  6. Jun 9, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2035.
  7. Jun 9, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2546-2547)
  8. Jun 9, 2025 Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  9. Jun 6, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.
  10. Jun 6, 2025 Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.
  11. Apr 2, 2025 Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  12. Apr 2, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

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