Senate Commerce Hearing Held Hearing on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act

Yesterday, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.  The witnesses were Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Daniel Maffei and FMC Commissioner Rebecca Dye. Following the hearing, Chairperson Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said the Ocean Shipping Reform Act could see a vote by “next week, if we can get there.” Senator Cantwell said she has spoken with Representative John Garamendi (D-CA), the sponsor of the House-passed version of the bill, about the issue, but that they did not get into details about the legislation. A summary of significant comments from the hearing prepared by Delta Strategy Group here.

Summary here.

More Advocacy Issues

Please use the link below for a glance at the upcoming events for the week of May 5. Document here.

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The U.S. agriculture industry is urging Congress to prioritize rural and agricultural transportation needs in the upcoming reauthorization of surface transportation programs. Key requests include timely reauthorization, increased investment in infrastructure, modernization of trucking regulations, and streamlining project approvals to improve efficiency, safety, and economic vitality in rural America. Letter here.

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A coalition of agricultural groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, urged the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership to confirm Stephen Vaden as deputy Agriculture secretary. He currently serves as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade. Letter here.

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The American Cotton Shippers Association, along with over 300 other associations representing a broad range of industries, urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to refrain from implementing the proposed measures in response to the Section 301 investigation into China’s efforts to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. Letter here.

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In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), organizations in the energy, transportation, and agriculture industries urged Congress to disapprove California’s vehicle rules through the Congressional Review Act. Letter here.

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U.S. farm organizations, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, signed onto a letter to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), calling for the quick Senate approval of Luke Lindberg’s nomination as the next USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Letter here.

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