Requires the Department of Transportation to ensure that 100 percent of the ocean-transported equipment, materials, or commodities it buys or finances travel on privately owned U.S. commercial vessels, when those ships are available at fair and reasonable rates.

• Sets out the short title as the American Cargo for American Ships Act.
• Amends 46 U.S.C. 55305 to add an exception for cargo the Department of Transportation procures, contracts for, or finances with federal funds.
• Requires 100 percent of the gross tonnage of that cargo to move on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels, computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers.
• Requires fair and reasonable participation of U.S. vessels in those cargoes by geographic area.

• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (House)
• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
• Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (Senate)

Transportation and Public Works