American Cargo for American Ships Act (H.R. 2035)
March 11, 2025
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
This bill would mandate that all Department of Transportation-funded cargo be transported by U.S.-owned commercial ships, potentially increasing costs or changing logistics for federal transportation projects.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
U.S. commercial shipping companies
These companies would be the exclusive providers for Department of Transportation cargo shipments.
Department of Transportation
The agency must ensure that all its financed or procured cargo is transported by U.S.-owned vessels.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- The bill mandates that 100% of gross tonnage for cargo procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation must be transported on privately-owned U.S. commercial vessels.
- The requirement applies to dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers, calculated separately for each category.
- The mandate is contingent upon the availability of U.S. commercial vessels at fair and reasonable rates.
- The Secretary of Transportation is responsible for ensuring compliance with these shipping requirements.
- The bill amends Section 55305 of title 46, United States Code.
- The Secretary must ensure fair and reasonable participation of U.S. commercial vessels across different geographic areas.
Why It Matters
This bill would mandate that all Department of Transportation-funded cargo be transported by U.S.-owned commercial ships, potentially increasing costs or changing logistics for federal transportation projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to all federal government cargo?
What happens if no U.S. ships are available at a fair price?
News Coverage
Voting Record
Total
387
Yes
373
No
14
Present
0
Not Voting
0
Abstain
0
How they voted (387)
Jimmy Panetta
D · yes
Andrew Ogles
R · yes
Maggie Goodlander
D · yes
Warren Davidson
R · yes
Gus Bilirakis
R · yes
Virginia Foxx
R · yes
Steve Womack
R · yes
Andrew Garbarino
R · yes
Mark DeSaulnier
D · yes
Norma Torres
D · yes
Craig Goldman
R · yes
Scott Perry
R · no
Bradley Schneider
D · yes
Brad Sherman
D · yes
Wesley Bell
D · yes
Donald Davis
D · yes
Mary Miller
R · yes
Addison McDowell
R · yes
Janelle Bynum
D · yes
Roger Williams
R · yes
Claudia Tenney
R · yes
Timothy Kennedy
D · yes
Sarah Elfreth
D · yes
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
D · yes
+ 363 more
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Cargo Preference
The bill seeks to tighten existing maritime cargo preference laws by specifically targeting Department of Transportation-financed projects with a 100% mandate.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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