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119-hr-8615119th CongressWALLET

FLEETS Now Act

Sponsored By: Representative Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would boost domestic shipbuilding capacity by pushing the U.S. to cut reliance on Chinese supply chains and coordinate allies to produce and maintain ships together. It would also reorganize diplomacy and create programs to import foreign shipbuilding expertise for the U.S. workforce.

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  • U.S. shipbuilding workers and trainees would get a new exchange-visitor program that brings in marine engineers, naval architects, deck-plate professionals, and other experts. Agencies would have up to two years to set the program up.
  • U.S. shipyards and ports would be targeted for allied investment and supply-chain diversification through a designated international shipbuilding coordinator. The bill would add harbors and ports to eligible infrastructure under the BUILD Act and require the President to name the coordinator within 90 days.
  • Diplomats and regulators would be reorganized under a new Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs and a matching bureau to lead ocean, fisheries, and maritime diplomacy. The bill would also require overseas investigations into unfair maritime practices and direct U.S. advocacy at the International Maritime Organization to reshape Net-Zero rules and protect U.S. shipbuilding.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New shipping investigations and China reports

If enacted, State and the Federal Maritime Commission would place investigators in selected big shipping registry countries to probe unfair practices. They would look at price-fixing, market manipulation, refusals to deal, denials of port entry to U.S. ships, flags of convenience, and anticompetitive terminal deals. The Secretary of State would brief Congress within one year and the President would report annually for three years on Chinese shipbuilding firms, subsidiaries, government links, and trading practices. The law would also add maritime unfair-practice information to official investment and appropriations reports.

U.S. maritime policy at the IMO

If enacted, the Secretary of State would direct the U.S. Ambassador to push the International Maritime Organization to adopt an "energy-all" approach. The U.S. would oppose binding net-zero 2050 targets, carbon penalties, and regional schemes it finds unreasonable. The U.S. would also seek to remove LNG penalties, recognize biofuels, promote industry-led fuel choices, and advance U.S. candidates for IMO leadership. The bill aims to reduce regulatory friction and compliance costs for U.S. shipyards and operators.

Allied shipbuilding cooperation and investments

If enacted, the President would name a lead official within 90 days to attract allied investment and coordinate shipbuilding plans. That official would work with partners to share ship designs, speed repairs, and coordinate ports during crises. The plan would include workforce training, joint R&D, procurement agreements, and steps to attract foreign direct investment to U.S. shipyards. The framework would also include protections to prevent leakage of dual-use technology to China-linked firms and could support reciprocal fees on foreign-built vessels to fund shipbuilding investments.

DFC financing for ports and harbors

If enacted, the bill would allow the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to support harbors, ports, and related infrastructure. This adds ports to the list of project types eligible for DFC financing under the BUILD Act. The change does not itself appropriate money, but it would let port authorities, developers, and investors seek DFC loans and guarantees for port projects.

Temporary shipbuilding expert exchanges

If enacted, the bill would add a temporary exchange-visitor category for shipbuilding experts. It would cover marine engineers, naval architects, electrical engineers, deck-plate professionals, surveyors, project managers, QA/QC staff, and similar experts. The program would start on enactment and expire two years later. The change aims to transfer technical knowledge and train the U.S. shipbuilding workforce.

State Department bureau for oceans and space

If enacted, the bill would create an Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs and a Bureau of Water, Environment, and Space Affairs. The person serving as the current Oceans Assistant Secretary would become the new Assistant Secretary on enactment. Future appointments would require Senate confirmation. The new office would lead ocean, fisheries, maritime diplomacy, space coordination, and related international policies.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

    AS • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 7/13/2026

  • Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 8/20/2026

  • Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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