119th Congress · introduced in the House · Mar 11, 2025
American Cargo for American Ships Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Jun 10, 2025): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Transportation and Public Works
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Mar 11, 2025)
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.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
House · Jun 9, 2025 · Roll call 157 · Passed
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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) Roll call details
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) Roll call details
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2557-2558)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2035.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2546-2547)
Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Marine and inland water transportation · Public contracts and procurement
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsSubcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
15 citations.
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW · lobbying firm or registrant: SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$100,000
Spent on own lobbying
…tional Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture - Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 6, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
Amount not reported
HR 1- The One Big Beautiful Bill HR 3151/S 1541/S 1536 - Ships for America Act HR 252 - Secure Our Ports Act HR 2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act HR 2390 - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act HR 3331 - Mariner Exam Modernization Act HR 3940/S 2043 - Open America's W…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW · lobbying firm or registrant: SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$80,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ation. H.R. 1968 / S. 724 - Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act - Discussions with staff regarding maritime industry program appropriations. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · amended · posted Jul 10, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
Amount not reported
HR 1- The One Big Beautiful Bill HR 3151/S 1541/S 1536 - Ships for America Act HR 252 - Secure Our Ports Act HR 2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act HR 2390 - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act HR 3331 - Mariner Exam Modernization Act HR 3940/S 2043 - Open America's W…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW · lobbying firm or registrant: SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 21, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$100,000
Spent on own lobbying
…tional Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture - Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 2, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
Amount not reported
HR 1- The One Big Beautiful Bill HR 3151/S 1541/S 1536 - Ships for America Act HR 252 - Secure Our Ports Act HR 2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act HR 2390 - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act HR 3331 - Mariner Exam Modernization Act HR 3940/S 2043 - Open America's W…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW · lobbying firm or registrant: SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$130,000
Spent on own lobbying
…tional Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture - Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 1, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
Amount not reported
HR 1- The One Big Beautiful Bill HR 3151/S 1541/S 1536 - Ships for America Act HR 252 - Secure Our Ports Act HR 2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act HR 2390 - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act HR 3331 - Mariner Exam Modernization Act HR 3940/S 2043 - Open America's W…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW · lobbying firm or registrant: SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 20, 2025 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$30,000
Spent on own lobbying
…tional Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture - Advocacy in support of the legislation. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
PORT OF PORTLAND · lobbying firm or registrant: PORT OF PORTLAND
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 20, 2025 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$76,450
Spent on own lobbying
…time Supply Chain Security Act Permits Port Infrastructure Development Program funds to be used to replace software from Chinese firms in ship-to-shore cranes. HR 2035 American Cargo for American Ships Act Strengthens U.S. Cargo preference laws and reduce the ongoing decline of U.S. flagged ships. Bill would require that all…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 4, 2025 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
Amount not reported
HR 1- The One Big Beautiful Bill HR 3151/S 1541/S 1536 - Ships for America Act HR 252 - Secure Our Ports Act HR 2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act HR 2390 - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act HR 3331 - Mariner Exam Modernization Act HR 3940/S 2043 - Open America's W…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW · lobbying firm or registrant: SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. - AGLIW
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 18, 2025 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Discussions with staff regarding inclusion of full funding for the Maritime Security, Tanker Security and Cable Ship Security Programs within the legislation. H.R. 2035 / No Senate Companion - American Cargo for American Ships Act - Discussions with staff regarding cargo preference laws. Advocacy in support of the legislation.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
PORT OF PORTLAND · lobbying firm or registrant: PORT OF PORTLAND
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 8, 2025 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$98,160
Spent on own lobbying
…time Supply Chain Security Act Permits Port Infrastructure Development Program funds to be used to replace software from Chinese firms in ship-to-shore cranes. HR 2035 American Cargo for American Ships Act Strengthens U.S. Cargo preference laws and reduce the ongoing decline of U.S. flagged ships. Bill would require that all…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 3, 2025 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
Amount not reported
HR 1- The One Big Beautiful Bill HR 3151/S 1541/S 1536 - Ships for America Act HR 252 - Secure Our Ports Act HR 2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act HR 2390 - Maritime Supply Chain Security Act HR 3331 - Mariner Exam Modernization Act HR 3940/S 2043 - Open America's W…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
AFL-CIO · lobbying firm or registrant: AFL-CIO
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$760,000
Spent on own lobbying
S.1449 - A bill to reauthorize the trade adjustment assistance program. Section 301 and China: Shipping and Shipbuilding Issues H.R.2035 - American Cargo for American Ships Act H.R.407 - Prevent Tariff Abuse Act African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) H.R.1840 - Closing the De Minimis Loophole…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing