Defending American Property Abroad Act

Foreign Trade and International Finance
house
senate
president

Introduced on May 15, 2024 by August Pfluger

Cosponsors

Legislation Details

  • Establishes prohibitions related to vessels loaded or previously held at ports, harbors, or marine terminals in certain Western Hemisphere countries where US persons’ land access has been nationalized, forcibly limited, or expropriated.
  • Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate prohibited properties and provide a list to relevant agencies and congressional committees within 60 days of the Act’s enactment.
  • Prohibits the use of funds by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of State for allowing vessels from designated prohibited properties to import goods, dock passenger vessels, or conduct maintenance in the US.
  • Prohibits the use of funds for any government activity or salary that would impede the enforcement of these prohibitions.
  • Mandates annual reports to Congress from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretary of State on the impact and enforcement of these prohibitions.
  • Defines terms such as “appropriate congressional committees,” “foreign trade partner,” “passenger vessel,” “prohibited property,” “relevant port infrastructure,” and “United States person.”

Last updated 9/28/2024