Appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the independent federal agency that regulates the U.S. international ocean transportation system, would be reauthorized and increased under bipartisan legislation sponsored on June 26 by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD).
“Ocean shipping is a critical aspect of America’s national, food, and economic security. That’s why our Federal Maritime Commission must be equipped with the proper tools to keep the industry operating above bar,” Rep. Johnson said.
The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, H.R. 4183, which has three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), would authorize $49.2 million for fiscal year (FY) 2026; $51.66 million for FY 2027; $54.2 million for FY 2028; and $57.01 million for FY 2029 for the FMC.
“I’m proud to lead this legislation with Rep. Garamendi to ensure our ocean transportation system is working to the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and consumers,” said Rep. Johnson.
If enacted, H.R. 4183 also would expand FMC advisory committees to ensure that non-government stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their insight and expertise to the FMC, and would reinforce the FMC’s independent nature by requiring a majority vote of the commission to disclose FMC investigation efforts to outside parties, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Johnson’s staff.
The measure also would update and improve the purposes of the Shipping Act to better reflect current federal policy governing international ocean shipping, and would prohibit the FMC from requiring ocean carriers to report information already reported to other federal agencies, among other provisions, the summary says.
“America’s economy depends on a reliable and efficient shipping and freight system,” said Rep. Garamendi. “That’s why I’m proud to lead the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act, which will ensure continued funding for the commission, strengthen our maritime infrastructure, and build upon my previous work on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. I’m grateful to Representative Johnson for partnering with me on this critical legislation.”