American Cargo for American Ships Act

House Bill

H.R. 2035

119th Congress

American Cargo for American Ships Act

In Committee

Introduced:Mar 11, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Salud O. Carbajal

Representative

Democratic

CA-24

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Summary

This bill requires 100 percent of cargo financed or procured by the Department of Transportation to be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, up from the current 50 percent minimum. The requirement applies when American ships are available at fair and reasonable rates with fair geographic participation.

Latest Action

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

SponsorSalud O. Carbajal (D-CA)

Introduced3/11/2025

StatusReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transp

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

American Cargo for American Ships Act

This bill requires 100 percent of cargo financed or procured by the Department of Transportation to be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, up from the current 50 percent minimum. The requirement applies when American ships are available at fair and rea

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This bill requires 100 percent of cargo financed or procured by the Department of Transportation to be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, up from the current 50 percent minimum. The requirement applies when American ships are available at fair and reasonable rates with fair geographic participation.

Bill Number: 2035
Sponsor: Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA)
Introduced: 3/11/2025
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transp
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: American Cargo for American Ships Act
Bill Number: 2035
Sponsor: Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA)
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transp
Introduced: 3/11/2025
Summary: This bill requires 100 percent of cargo financed or procured by the Department of Transportation to be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, up from the current 50 percent minimum. The requirement applies when American ships are available at fair and reasonable rates with fair geographic parti

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires 100 percent of cargo financed or procured by the Department of Transportation to be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, up from the current 50 percent minimum. The requirement applies when American ships are available at fair and reasonable rates with fair geographic participation.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

American Cargo for American Ships ActThis 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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires 100 percent DOT cargo on U.S.-flagged ships
Increases from current 50 percent cargo preference
Applies when U.S. ships available at fair rates
Supports American maritime industry
Strengthens cargo preference requirements

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

The American maritime industry and merchant mariners would see increased work as more federal cargo moves on U.S. ships. Shipping costs could increase if fewer foreign-flagged vessels compete for contracts. The bill supports domestic shipbuilding and maritime workforce development.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Related Subjects

Marine and inland water transportation

Public contracts and procurement

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

2035, 119th Congress (2025). "American Cargo for American Ships Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-2035

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