The Ocean Shipping Reform Act addresses supply chain challenges and relieves bottlenecks in our ports to get goods to market and protect U.S. consumers
On Wednesday, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Vice-Chair of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, voted to pass the bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act. This legislation takes direct aim at solving supply chain challenges by making the first major overhaul of U.S. international ocean-shipping regulations in over 20 years.
"It is vital that we do all we can to address the supply chain challenges facing American consumers and relieve the impacts of inflation that are delaying a full economic recovery," said Congressman Pappas. "The Ocean Shipping Reform Act takes direct action to bolster our supply chains, protect American consumers and small businesses from unfair trade practices, and respond to trade imbalances created by countries like China. This bipartisan legislation is an important step in the right direction, and I remain committed to taking all necessary actions to help our economy fully recover and ease the financial burdens felt by middle-class families."
The legislation mandates that carriers and port operators adhere to minimum service standards that meet the public interest, barring them from unreasonably declining cargo which will reduce port backlogs and get goods to market faster. It also includes improved data collection and reporting standards, increases Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) funding by 10 percent, and directs the FMC to release an annual report on false certifications filed by shipping and port operators.
Congressman Pappas worked to craft and fought to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which invests $17 billion in port infrastructure and waterways, and $25 billion in airports to address repairs, maintenance backlogs, and reduce congestion.
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