American Cargo for American Ships Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2035) to amend title 46, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that all cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation are transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 2035.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act.

This measure focuses on strengthening the United States maritime industry by mandating that cargo procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation must be transported on United States- owned, -flagged, and -crewed commercial vehicles.

This bill ensures that the United States carriers will play a more significant role in the transportation of goods funded by the Federal Government, which will fuel economic growth and bolster United States maritime jobs.

H.R. 2035 also helps ensure that our Nation has a ready fleet of vessels and mariners that we can mobilize in national times of emergency.

I am proud to co-lead this legislation, and I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal) for introducing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

American shipping has been severely undermined over the past several decades, largely due to the dominance of foreign-flagged vessels that operate at lower cost by sidestepping United States labor, safety, and environmental standards.

H.R. 2035 is critical to restoring our Nation's maritime industry and ushering in a new era of American maritime dominance.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to co-lead this legislation, and I would like to express my gratitude, again, to Representative Carbajal for introducing the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of my bill, the American Cargo for American Ships Act, and to express my thanks for the bipartisan leadership of Chair Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and also Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Ezell, who cosponsored this important legislation.

My bill strengthens the American merchant marine by guaranteeing that 100 percent of U.S. cargo generated by the Department of Transportation will be transported on U.S.-flagged ships. It is that simple.

This bill is the maritime industry's version of Buy American. If the government is shipping cargo, it should be on American vessels.

Starting with the end of World War II, the U.S. merchant marine has shrunk to an unacceptable level. My bill is an actionable step that we can take right now to improve the maritime industry, grow the U.S. mariner pool, and increase the number of U.S.-flagged ships.

From a national security perspective, cargo preference remains an effective shipping strategy in maintaining our Nation's presence and economic viability in the international market.

As the Department of Transportation is responsible for overseeing the majority of American maritime shipping, both domestically and globally, there is no reason why the Department cannot and should not set an example that is meaningful.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, my plane was delayed in arriving to Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2025, and I was unable to vote on H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act--Roll Call 157. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

For the vote on H. Res. 488 Denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado--Roll Call 158, it was my intention to vote NAY, but I inadvertently voted yes when rushing to the chamber thinking it was still the first vote. I do not support this resolution as it exploits the horrible incident that took place in Boulder Colorado on June 2, 2025, where makeshift firebombs were thrown at a crowd hosting an event raising awareness about hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The resolution also falsely criticizes sanctuary cities and praises Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents. These issues distract from the important message of condemning antisemitism and the domestic terrorism that occurred in Boulder.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 157 of the 119th Congress, which was H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act, I voted in error YEA, when I fully intended to vote NAY. I am here to set the record straight: the Jones Act and any legislation furthering the antiquated policy positions of the Jones Act, like H.R. 2035 are harmful and must be rectified.

Mr. Speaker, due to obligations, I was unable to vote on June 9, 2025 on H. Res. 481, H. Res. 488, and H.R. 2035. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 157; YEA on Roll Call No. 158; and YEA on Roll Call No. 159.