Committee Passes Johnson’s Bill to Strengthen Supply Chains and Counter China

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). Johnson introducedthis legislation in June to reauthorize the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the independent federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system.

The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act strengthens the FMC's authority to crack down on China's shipping malpractice and includes Johnson's provisions to reform ocean shipping, ensuring American imports and exports compete on a level playing field in the global market.

"The East Coast, West Coast, America's heartland, and everywhere in between rely on ocean shipping," said Johnson. "Ocean shipping transports American products around the world and brings in foreign products that help fuel our economy. I'm grateful for the work of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to pass my legislation that will protect American businesses, producers, and consumers from China's abuse of America's ocean shipping laws."

"I want to thank Congressman Dusty Johnson for his work and leadership on the bipartisan FMC Reauthorization Act," said Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). "This legislation reauthorizes this important agency and will help protect American shippers and carriers from unfair, anti-competitive practices of other nations, such as China."

"America's economy depends on a strong maritime supply chain," said Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA). "That's why I'm proud of the passing of the bipartisan Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, which I co-led with Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). This bill builds on my Ocean Shipping Reform Act, authorizes robust funding through 2029, strengthens the Commission's independence, and gives U.S. businesses a fairer playing field in the global marketplace. I thank Representative Johnson and Representatives Ezell and Carbajal for partnering with me on this critical effort."

"Ensuring the strength, security, and transparency of our maritime supply chain is not only an economic imperative but a critical national security priority," said Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS), Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. "The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025 equips the Commission with the necessary tools and oversight to hold bad actors accountable and protect American shippers. As Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I'm proud to support this bipartisan effort to modernize and empower the FMC for the challenges ahead, and I look forward to seeing it pass the U.S. House in the near future."

Click here for Johnson's remarks on the FMC Reauthorization Act.

The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025 is:

Tough on China

• Establishes a formal process to report complaints against shipping exchanges, like the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, to the FMC for investigation.
• Directs the FMC to report on anticompetitive business practices or nonreciprocal trade practices.
• Codifies the definition of "controlled carrier" under the Shipping Actto encompass state-controlled enterprises in non-market economies like the People's Republic of China.

Good Government

• Updates and improves the purposes of the Shipping Actto better reflect current federal policy governing international ocean shipping.
• Prohibits the FMC from requiring ocean carriers to report information already reported to other federal agencies.

Sustains the FMC Mission

• Reauthorizes the FMC through fiscal year 2029.
• Expands FMC Advisory Committees, ensuring non-government stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their insight and expertise to the Commission.
• Reinforces the FMC's independent nature by requiring a majority vote of the Commission to disclose FMC investigation efforts to outside parties.

The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025 is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), John Garamendi (D-CA), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA).

Click herefor bill text.