Press Releases

The House of Representatives today approved three pieces of bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections for American shippers and consumers in maritime commerce, address the impacts of marine debris, and reauthorize the National Estuary Program.

The House approved H.R. 4183, the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) that protects American shippers and consumers from anticompetitive or unfair practices of foreign-based ocean carriers by authorizing appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for fiscal years 2026 through 2027.

In addition, the House passed H.R. 3962, the Enhancing Science, Treatment, and Upkeep of America’s Resilient and Important Estuarine Systems (ESTUARIES) Act, introduced by Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) to reauthorize the National Estuary Program.

The bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, S. 216, introduced by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), was also passed by the House. This legislation seeks to strengthen efforts to address adverse impacts of marine debris without imposing new mandates on industry or local governments.

“The House approved three important bipartisan bills today, including a bill to reauthorize the Federal Maritime Commission. This bill strengthens oversight, protects U.S. shippers and carriers from unfair foreign practices, and reinforces the reliability of our maritime supply chains. In particular, I want to commend Congressman Johnson for his leadership on the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act, and I look forward to advancing these bills,” said T&I Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO).

“Today’s trio of bills passed under suspension will strengthen the nation’s maritime industry by creating good-paying jobs, help clean up our oceans, and protect the health of the nation’s estuaries – including in my home state of Washington,” T&I Ranking Member Larsen said. “Thank you to Chairman Graves for the bipartisan work on these bills. I look forward to the Senate taking up the ESTUARIES Act and the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act.”

The House passed the following measures:

H.R. 4183, the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025 – introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD). The bill protects American shippers and carriers from unfair practices of foreign-flagged ocean carriers by reauthorizing the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027.

H.R. 3962, the Enhancing Science, Treatment, and Upkeep of America’s Resilient and Important Estuarine Systems (ESTUARIES) Act – introduced by Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL). The bill supports local communities by reauthorizing the National Estuary Program (NEP), a non-regulatory, cost-shared grant program that empowers locals to improve water quality in coastal areas nationwide. It reauthorizes the NEP at current funding levels for five years, through 2031, and expands the program’s list of priority considerations.

S. 216, Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act – introduced by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The bill will enhance the United States’ ability to address the adverse impacts of marine debris on the United States economy and navigation safety without imposing new mandates on industry or local government.