Bills · S 2043
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2043Transportation and Public Works
Open America's Waters Act
INTRO JUN 12· LAST ACTION JUN 12
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill is important because it challenges a long-standing law that affects the costs of everyday goods for many Americans and impacts the health of key U.S. industries. If it becomes law, it could lead to lower shipping expenses, potentially resulting in cheaper products for consumers due to increased competition among shipping companies. This could be particularly beneficial for isolated areas that face higher shipping costs.
However, if the bill does not pass, the existing Jones Act regulations would remain in place, continuing to protect the U.S. shipbuilding industry and American maritime jobs, but also potentially maintaining higher shipping costs. The debate around this bill highlights a tension between fostering competition and potentially reducing consumer prices versus safeguarding domestic industries and jobs that are considered important for both economic stability and national security.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The bill removes the current requirements that ships operating between U.S. ports must be U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed.
This fundamentally changes who can participate in domestic shipping, allowing foreign vessels to enter the market.
PROVISION 02
It requires the U.S. Coast Guard to create new rules within 90 days to ensure all vessels in domestic trade meet appropriate safety and security standards.
This ensures that critical safety and security standards are maintained even with increased foreign vessel participation.
PROVISION 03
It repeals or amends several other sections of maritime law to align with the new policy on coastwise trade, including specific rules related to tank vessels and small passenger vessels.
These changes are necessary to fully remove outdated restrictions and ensure legal consistency across maritime regulations.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Utah
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
138
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 12
Introduced in Senate
JUN 12
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2043
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 12, 2025
Last actionJun 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 12, 2025
Senate BillS 2043Transportation and Public Works
Open America's Waters Act
INTRODUCED JUN 12, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
