Passed House. Latest step, Jun 10, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 373–14.All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.
How this bill changes the law
Sourced
H.R. 2035 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jun 10, 2025).
adds
changes words
removes or repeals
renumbers
Dashed lines: proposed, not law.
H.R. 2035Bill
Sec. 2(1)Cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by United States Government1 change
Sec. 2(2)Cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by United States Government1 change
Sec. 2(3)Cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by United States Government1 change
46 U.S.C. 55305Cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the United States Government
(a) Minimum Tonnage.—When the United States GovernmentExcept as provided in subsection (c), when the United States Government procures, contracts for, or otherwise obtains for its own account, or furnishes to or for the account of a foreign country, organization, or persons without provision for reimbursement, any equipment, materials, or commodities, or…
The bill says: in subsection (a) by striking "When the United States Government" and inserting "Except as provided in subsection (c), when the United States Government";
(c) Exception.— When the Department of Transportation procures, contracts for, or otherwise obtains for its own account, or provides financing in any way with Federal funds or advances funds or credits, for the furnishing or obtaining of the equipment, materials, or commodities, the Secretary of Transportation or recipient of such financing shall take steps necessary and practicable to ensure that 100 percent of the gross tonnage of the equipment, materials, or commodities (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers) which may be transported on ocean vessels is transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, as provided under subsection (b), to the extent those vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates for commercial vessels of the United States, in a manner that will ensure a fair and reasonable participation of commercial vessels of the United States in those cargoes by geographic areas.
The bill says: by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.
What it does
Sourced
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.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Mar 11, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
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Jun 10, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
Jun 9, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
Jun 9, 2025On 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 recordHouse floor actions
Jun 9, 2025Passed/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 recordLibrary of Congress
Jun 9, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2557-2558)House floor actions
Jun 9, 2025At 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.House floor actions
Jun 9, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2035.House floor actions
Jun 9, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2546-2547)House floor actions
Jun 9, 2025Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
Jun 6, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.House floor actions
Jun 6, 2025Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.House floor actions
Jun 6, 2025Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-147.Library of Congress
Apr 2, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
Apr 2, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
Apr 2, 2025Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation DischargedHouse committee actions
Mar 12, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.House committee actions
Mar 11, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.House floor actions
Mar 11, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
Mar 11, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress