S. 2535

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To enable passenger vessels that were not built in the United States to receive coastwise endorsement, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · July 30, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Lee · Committee: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Table of contents

• S. 2535
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Coastwise endorsement for passenger vessels

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Protecting Jobs in American Ports Act.

SEC. 2. Coastwise endorsement for passenger vessels

• (a) In general
  • Section 12112(a)(2)(B) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
    • in clause (ii), by striking and inserting a semicolon;
    • in clause (iii), by striking ; andand inserting ; or; and
      • (iv) is a vessel that transports passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port; and
    • by adding at the end the following:
• (b) Conforming amendment
  • Section 12121 of title 46, United States Code, is repealed.
• (c) Rule of construction
  • Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall be construed to exempt a vessel that transports passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, from any applicable law of the United States except as explicitly provided in such amendments.