SHIPS for America Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 3151

119th Congress

SHIPS for America Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Nov 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Lucy McBath

Representative

Democratic

GA-6

Cosponsors

24

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Summary

This bill aims to support the U.S. maritime industry, including vessels, ports, shipyards, and the maritime workforce. It establishes new oversight and accountability measures, creates a Maritime Security Trust Fund, enhances sealift capability, and provides financial incentives and regulatory reforms for shipbuilding. The bill also includes workforce development initiatives like loan forgiveness, education assistance, and recruitment programs.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill aims to support the U.S. maritime industry, including vessels, ports, shipyards, and the maritime workforce. It establishes new oversight and accountability measures, creates a Maritime Security Trust Fund, enhances sealift capability, and provides financial incentives and regulatory reforms for shipbuilding. The bill also includes workforce development initiatives like loan forgiveness, education assistance, and recruitment programs.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make available online certain information about solicitations for infant formula bids under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under current law, state agencies must control infant formula costs in the WIC program through competitive bidding for infant formula rebate contracts. The bill requires state WIC agencies to provide USDA with a description of open solicitations for these competitive bids that includes the title of the solicitation, the state agency administering the solicitation, and other relevant information for the USDA to publish online.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Establishes a Maritime Security Advisor, Maritime Security Board, and Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee to provide oversight and accountability
Creates a Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by tonnage taxes to support maritime security and infrastructure
Includes provisions to strengthen the U.S. strategic sealift capability and cargo preference requirements for U.S. government shipments
Provides financial incentives and regulatory reforms to support the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including small shipyards
Includes workforce development initiatives like loan forgiveness, education assistance, and recruitment programs for the maritime industry

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If passed, this bill would impact the U.S. maritime industry, including shipyards, ports, vessel operators, and maritime workers. It would provide financial support and regulatory reforms to bolster U.S. shipbuilding and maritime operations, as well as initiatives to attract and retain workers in the maritime field. This could lead to increased domestic ship construction, more cargo transported on U.S.-flagged vessels, and expanded career opportunities in the maritime sector.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3151, 119th Congress (2025). "SHIPS for America Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3151