Sponsor
Benjamin Cline
Representative · R-VA
The bill speeds short‑term relief for importers and small businesses by allowing temporary use of non‑coastwise vessels with predictable timelines, at the cost of potential harm to U.S. maritime jobs and fleet readiness and added administrative strain on agencies.
Importers, shippers, and small businesses can temporarily use non‑coastwise (foreign) vessels when no eligible U.S. carrier is available, and an automatic deemed‑grant after 60 days if the agency does not act reduces supply delays and gives predictable short‑term relief.
Taxpayers, state governments, and affected applicants gain clearer timelines and required findings for denials, improving transparency and accountability of agency decisions.
U.S. maritime industry workers and shipbuilders could face reduced demand for U.S.‑built or documented vessels, threatening jobs in the domestic maritime sector.
Taxpayers and national security planners may see weakened maritime security and reduced resilience of the domestic fleet if waivers are frequent or prolonged, undermining the coastwise laws designed to support surge sealift and national defense readiness.
Federal employees and state governments face increased administrative burden and greater risk of procedural errors due to rapid (48‑hour) congressional notification requirements and expedited decision timelines.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows agency heads to temporarily waive coastwise endorsement requirements when no U.S. product carrier is available and the requester tried in good faith, subject to time limits and congressional notice.
Representative · R-VA
Allows federal agency heads who oversee vessel inspection or navigation laws to temporarily waive U.S. coastwise endorsement (Jones Act) requirements for transporting specified goods when no qualifying U.S. product carrier is available and the requester tried in good faith to find one. Waivers are time-limited (30-day minimum), can be extended in 15-day increments, must be decided within 60 days (or are deemed granted for 30 days on day 61), and require rapid congressional notification and a written explanation when issued or denied.
Official title: To establish a process for waiver of coastwise endorsement requirements.
Introduced March 12, 2026 by Benjamin Cline · Last progress March 12, 2026