Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
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 voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill funds the Federal Maritime Commission for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to oversee shipping and ocean commerce. It allows the Commission to investigate complaints about unfair practices or market manipulation by shipping exchanges. The legislation also creates new advisory committees representing ports and ocean carriers to help advise the Commission. Furthermore, it updates data collection rules and requires reports on trade imbalances and foreign shipping practices. Finally, the bill directs the Commission to make rules regarding how containerized freight price indexes are developed.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill is helpful for business owners because it establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Maritime Commission on policies that improve the competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency of the international ocean freight delivery system, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective shipping.
- Scored +2
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances consumer protection by requiring the FMC to investigate complaints against shipping exchanges and create containerized freight indexes, which can help shippers understand and navigate ocean freight costs.
- Scored +1
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill may help lower income households indirectly through more efficient and cost-effective shipping, by establishing advisory committees and addressing anticompetitive trade practices.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill includes a nondisclosure provision that restricts the public release of information and documents developed during FMC investigations, which reduces government transparency.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 6: This section allows people to submit information and complaints about unfair practices or market manipulation by shipping exchanges. This is positive because it gives Americans a clear way to hold shipping exchanges accountable and forces the Commission to investigate these issues.
-
Section 11: This section establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee to join the existing shipper committee. This is beneficial because it brings industry experts, labor representatives, and port authorities together to advise the government on making the freight delivery system more reliable and efficient.
-
Section 12: This section requires the Commission to include an analysis of trade imbalances and the results of audits in its annual reports. This is positive because it provides more transparency regarding ocean carrier business practices that affect the public.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 10: This section states that information and documents gathered during Commission investigations cannot be disclosed unless a majority of the Commission votes to do so for a legal proceeding. This could be seen as negative because it keeps important investigative details hidden from the public and limits transparency.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill is helpful for business owners because it establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Maritime Commission on policies that improve the competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency of the international ocean freight delivery system, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective shipping. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill may help lower income households indirectly through more efficient and cost-effective shipping, by establishing advisory committees and addressing anticompetitive trade practices. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill may help middle class households indirectly through more efficient and cost-effective shipping, by establishing advisory committees and addressing anticompetitive trade practices. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill provides some benefit to union workers as the National Port Advisory Committee includes representation from longshore and maritime labor.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by requiring the FMC to investigate complaints against shipping exchanges and create containerized freight indexes, which can help shippers understand and navigate ocean freight costs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill includes a nondisclosure provision that restricts the public release of information and documents developed during FMC investigations, which reduces government transparency.
- 12/16/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 12/15/2025
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- 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, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5869-6871)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5869-6871)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4183.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5869-5872)
- Mr. Johnson (SD) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 12/12/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-401.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 349.
- 9/17/2025
- Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 6/27/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 6/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi
John GaramendiDemocrat · California