Salud Carbajal (D-CA)
American Cargo for American Ships Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 373–14
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The ``American Cargo for American Ships Act'' aims to amend title 46 of the United States Code. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to oversee how certain cargoes are transported. The bill requires that cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation be moved on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States. This mandate applies when such vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates. The goal is to ensure fair participation of United States commercial vessels in those cargoes across geographic areas.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The mandate to use U.S. vessels likely supports job creation within the domestic maritime industry.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill benefits domestic maritime and commercial vessel owners.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to grow the economy?
Strengthening the domestic maritime sector can contribute to broader economic growth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 373 yes · 14 no
06/09/2025 · Roll call 157 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for American Maritime Industry: The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that 100 percent of the gross tonnage of certain equipment, materials, or commodities is transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, provided they are available at fair and reasonable rates (Section 2, subsection (c)).
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Fair Competition: The provision aims to ensure a fair and reasonable participation of commercial vessels of the United States in cargoes by geographic areas (Section 2, subsection (c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The mandate to use U.S. vessels likely supports job creation within the domestic maritime industry. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Strengthening the domestic maritime sector can contribute to broader economic growth.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill benefits domestic maritime and commercial vessel owners. Would union members be better off under this? — While not explicitly union-focused, supporting domestic maritime industry often benefits organized labor in those sectors.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the mandate for the Secretary of Transportation to control cargo transport requirements.
- 6/10/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 6/9/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.
- 6/6/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.
- 4/2/2025
- Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 3/12/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 3/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi