The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) that would authorize appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 and expand the commission’s authority to regulate anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system.
“My bill will ensure the FMC can continue doing its job to protect American businesses, producers, and consumers from China’s abuse of America’s ocean shipping laws,” Rep. Johnson said on Dec. 15. “Passing the House today is a big step in the right direction and I hope the Senate passes it soon.”
The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, H.R. 4183, which Rep. Johnson sponsored on June 26 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), also would establish a formal process to report complaints against shipping exchanges, and direct the FMC to report on anticompetitive business practices or nonreciprocal trade practices; and codify the definition of “controlled carrier” under the Shipping Act to encompass state-controlled enterprises in non-market economies like the People’s Republic of China.
Additionally, the bill would update and improve the purposes of the Shipping Act to better reflect current federal policy governing international ocean shipping, and prohibit the FMC from requiring ocean carriers to report information already reported to other federal agencies.
Among several other provisions, the bill also would expand FMC advisory committees to ensure non-government stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their insight and expertise to the FMC, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Johnson’s staff.
“America’s economy relies on a resilient maritime supply chain,” said Rep. Garamendi. “That’s why I’m proud that Congress has passed the bipartisan Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act.”
H.R. 4183 now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.