Rep. Dusty Johnson
A provision from legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) last week passed the U.S. House Armed Services Committee as part of the annual defense bill.
Specifically, the provision from Rep. Johnson’s Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023, H.R. 1836, aims to crack down on China, protect global supply chains, and increase fairness in the markets, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s staff.
“My provision requires an independent study and report into the business practices of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange,” Rep. Johnson said. “This study will give us vital information on how to better protect U.S. shippers and manufacturers from the CCP’s [Chinese Communist Party’s] unfair business practices.”
Rep. Johnson sponsored the bipartisan H.R. 1836 in March 2023 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) to expand the Federal Maritime Commission’s authority to regulate technology and anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system. H.R. 1836 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 21 and awaits action in the U.S. Senate.
The provision from that bill is included in Section 3521 of the larger, bipartisan Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act, H.R. 8070, which would authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military activities of the U.S. Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the U.S. Department of Energy, among other items.
The House Armed Services Committee on May 22 voted 57-1 to approve H.R. 8070, which now heads to the full House for action.