Sen. Lee Introduces Protecting Access to American Products Act to Ease Shipping Restrictions
American maritime unions have long supported the Jones Act because it guarantees work for U.S. crews on domestic shipping routes. Making it easier to waive these requirements could gradually reduce demand for American-crewed vessels, potentially threatening jobs and bargaining power for maritime workers. Even temporary waivers, if they become routine through extensions, could erode the economic base that supports unionized shipbuilding and maritime employment.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Rep. Ben Cline introduced the Protecting Access to American Products Act to streamline shipping of American-made goods. The bill amends maritime law to ensure products like oil and gas can reach U.S. markets when qualified domestic vessels are unavailable, providing administrative flexibility.
The U.S. government announced a 60-day Jones Act waiver, allowing foreign ships to move fuel and fertilizer between U.S. ports. This rare exception to the century-old law aims to stabilize supply chains and reduce energy costs amid regional conflicts.
The Trump administration issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act to lower surging gas prices. The waiver opens domestic shipping to foreign-flagged vessels, a move intended to speed up deliveries of oil and natural gas during the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Protecting Access to American Products Act
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