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Yesterday’s House passage of Rep. John Garamendi’s Ocean Shipping Reform Act marks Democrats’ third successful vote in the last month to address supply chain issues, and is a huge step in their efforts to lower costs and strengthen American businesses.
The legislation, which marks the first major update of ocean shipping regulations since 1998, would strengthen U.S. exports by establishing better trade opportunities, helping reduce America’s longstanding trade imbalance with other nations, particularly China.
As the COVID-19 pandemic created supply chain issues worldwide, American exporters reported that ocean carriers unreasonably turned down opportunities for U.S. exports, and instead chose to quickly send empty containers back to Asia to refill with foreign exports.
Several Democratic Frontliners urged the House to vote on this bill to ease supply chain bottlenecks and ensure carriers would be prohibited from these unfair and anti-competitive practices hurting U.S. businesses and consumers.
The legislation would also protect American exporters from higher costs due to current supply chain issues.
DCCC Spokesperson Nebeyatt Betre:
“Thanks in large part to the efforts of Democratic frontliners, the House has passed yet another major step to meaningfully address supply chain issues, prioritizing U.S. exports and protecting both American businesses and consumers from harmful price gouging.”
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