Press Releases

Washington, DC—June 13, 2022....Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, legislation he cosponsored and helped pass through Congress, will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The bill aids our supply chain, increases global market access for Arkansas and American-made products, and establishes reciprocal commerce opportunities to help address America’s longstanding trade imbalance with China and other countries.

Congressman Womack said, “Families, small businesses, and farmers are depending on leaders to address historic levels of inflation and supply chain disruptions. I’m proud to help deliver legislation that will make a difference. Headed to the President’s desk is a bipartisan solution that will strengthen our economy and movement of goods. Increasing market access and economic opportunity for Arkansas and American-made products is essential to easing backlogs and alleviating price burdens on consumers.

Bill provisions include:

• Establishing reciprocal trade to promote U.S. exports as part of the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) mission.
• Requiring ocean carriers to adhere to minimum service standards that meet the public interest, reflecting best practices in the global shipping industry.
• Prohibiting ocean carriers from declining opportunities for U.S. exports unreasonably, as determined by the FMC in new required rulemaking.
• Reform FMC’s authorities for the first time since 1998 to better reflect challenges of the 21st century.

Supporting this legislation is Womack’s latest step to solve supply chain challenges, bolster America’s economic competitiveness, and lower costs for U.S. consumers. He is a cosponsor of the Supplying America Needs Truckers Aged 18 Act, or SANTA 18 Act—which would eliminate unnecessary red tape and restrictions to allow more truckers and maximize the labor force to keep the supply chain flowing—the DRIVE Safe Act—which promotes job opportunities, enhances safety training for new members of the workforce, and addresses driver shortages in the trucking and logistics industry—and secured changes from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to allow truck drivers under 21 to cross state lines. He has also consistently called on the Biden Administration to prioritize efficient movement of goods instead of pushing radical proposals that have unleashed decades-high inflation levels.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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