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Congress·Passed House·H.R. 2035

Shipping: Requiring U.S. Ships for Transportation Department Cargo

American Cargo for American Ships Act

10 months ago·View on Congress.gov
⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

✓ House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • Congress passed a bill that requires the Department of Transportation to use American-owned commercial ships for all of its ocean shipping. This includes any equipment, materials, or goods that the department buys or helps pay for with federal money.
  • The goal is to support the American shipping industry and workers. By requiring 100 percent of these goods to travel on U.S. ships, the government aims to keep more money and jobs within the United States instead of paying foreign shipping companies.
  • This rule applies as long as American ships are available at fair and reasonable prices. If there are no U.S. ships available for a specific route or if the costs are too high, the Secretary of Transportation has some flexibility, but the priority must always be American vessels.
  • This change specifically targets the Department of Transportation's own projects and the materials it finances. It ensures that when tax dollars are used for transportation projects, those goods are moved by American crews on American-flagged ships.

Milestones

6 milestones17 actions
Jun 10, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Jun 9, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jun 9, 2025House

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)

Jun 9, 2025

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)

Jun 9, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2557-2558)

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedProceduralJun 9, 2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

373
14
Democrat
187 – 2 · 23
Republican
186 – 12 · 21
View full roll call

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

American Cargo for American Ships Act

Bill NumberHR 2035
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.