hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Lets foreign ships carry oil between U.S. ports, waiving certain rules.
Rep. Perry (R-PA) plus cosponsors Roy (R-TX) and Davidson (R-OH)
Introduced, referred to Transportation Committee.
The bill exempts vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products from coastwise endorsement laws, which typically require U.S.-built, -owned, and -crewed ships for domestic routes. It excludes ships linked to Russia or China (ownership, flag, or crew). Sponsors are House Republicans; the bill is in the early stages with no floor vote yet.
Introduced Mar 19, 2026
This bill has been introduced in its chamber of Congress. It has been assigned a bill number and referred to a committee for review. Most bills never advance past this stage. The committee may hold hearings, gather expert testimony, and amend the bill before deciding whether to send it to the full chamber for a vote.
The bill opens domestic oil shipping to foreign vessels, potentially lowering transportation costs and consumer fuel prices. However, U.S. maritime workers and shipping companies may lose business. The exclusion of Russian and Chinese interests protects national security but could limit available ships. No direct effect on imports/exports, only domestic routes.
Supporters Say
This bill cuts red tape to lower energy costs and boost domestic oil supply.
Critics Say
It undermines U.S. maritime jobs and national security by relying on foreign ships.
Supporters argue the Jones Act restrictions inflate shipping costs; waiving them for oil could reduce prices at the pump. Critics worry about losing American jobs and potentially creating dependencies on foreign flagged vessels, though the bill excludes Russian and Chinese vessels. The debate centers on economic benefit vs. protecting domestic industry.