Sponsors (8)
The bill strengthens U.S. authority to block use of foreign ports to protect American property and maintain control over transits, but it risks supply-chain disruption, higher compliance costs, and potential diplomatic fallout.
Vessel owners/operators and U.S. commercial interests: the President can block foreign ports that effectively expropriate U.S. facilities, helping protect U.S. property and preserve commercial access.
U.S. vessel owners/operators: owners can authorize transit through designated foreign facilities in emergencies or when they permit it, allowing continued operations and reducing disruption for affected businesses.
State and foreign governments and affected businesses: the President must remove a designation once ownership is restored or adequate compensation is provided, giving a clear remediation path and predictability for restoration.
Shippers, transportation workers, and consumers: vessels that transited designated foreign facilities could be barred from U.S. ports, disrupting supply chains and raising costs for shippers and end consumers.
U.S. taxpayers and exporters: broad presidential designation authority could be used as diplomatic leverage, risking harm to bilateral trade and increased geopolitical tensions in the Western Hemisphere.
Vessel owners/operators and transportation firms: new designation rules, cross-references, and transit-authority conditions increase compliance complexity and administrative costs for operators.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows the President to designate Western Hemisphere ports when foreign governments expropriate U.S.-owned maritime facilities and to restrict vessel entry tied to those facilities, with limited exceptions and removal triggers for remediation.
Amends U.S. port-entry law to let the President designate ports, harbors, or marine terminals in Western Hemisphere countries when a foreign government nationalizes or effectively expropriates U.S.-owned maritime facilities. Designation lets the United States restrict entry or transit rights for vessels tied to those facilities, creates a limited emergency/owner-authorized exception for vessel entry, and requires the President to remove a designation if the foreign government restores control, pays compensation in convertible foreign currency, or resolves the dispute by arbitration or settlement.
Official title: To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 15, 2026 by August Pfluger · Last progress April 2, 2026