Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, this amendment would insert the text of H.R. 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, into the America COMPETES Act. The bill passed the House under suspension of the rules with 364 bipartisan votes in December, and I was proud to support the legislation. The amendment provides expanded authorities to the Federal Maritime Commission, which regulates ocean shipping to protect and ensure fairness for U.S. shippers who import and export items to and from the U.S. The amendment helps American shippers operate on a level playing field by increasing protections for U.S. shippers from retaliation by foreign shippers who file a complaint with the FMC. It also prohibits foreign ocean carriers from unreasonably denying the carriage of U.S. export cargo on foreign ocean carriers' vessels if such cargo is available, can be loaded safely, and is going to a destination on the ship's schedule. This provision is important for agricultural producers in Oklahoma and across the country who will benefit from increased capacity to ship production across the globe. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson for their support of the underlying bill and this amendment, and I urge its passage. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Mount Rushmore State of South Dakota (Mr. Johnson).”