H.R. 7084 Passed the House Transportation and Public Works

Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] Introduced January 15, 2026 Cosponsors 7 (2 D, 5 R) Latest action April 2, 2026

Summary

Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026
This bill authorizes the President to prohibit the entry of a vessel into the United States if the vessel has transited any U.S. port, harbor, or marine terminal that has been nationalized or expropriated (e.g., seized) by a Western Hemisphere country that has a free trade agreement with the United States. 
Under the bill, the President may prohibit the entry and operation of a vessel if it has called at any port, harbor, or marine terminal that was owned, held, or controlled by a U.S. entity or individual, but has been nationalized or expropriated by the government of a country that is located in the Western Hemisphere and has a free trade agreement in effect with the United States.
The prohibition ends when the President determines that (1) the applicable country has restored ownership of the property that had been nationalized or expropriated, (2) the applicable country has provided mutually acceptable compensation for the nationalized or expropriated property, (3) the conditions for the prohibition are no longer satisfied, or (4) the dispute has been otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of the President. 
The bill permits certain foreign vessels that are otherwise prohibited from entering the United States under this bill or current law to enter if the vessel is experiencing an emergency (involving the vessel or an individual on the vessel) and in certain instances where access to a covered facility was granted by a U.S. property owner.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Apr 2, 2026 Received in the Senate.
  2. Mar 27, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Mar 27, 2026 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 164 (Roll no. 105). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2783)
  4. Mar 27, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 164 (Roll no. 105).
  5. Mar 27, 2026 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  6. Mar 27, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7084.
  7. Mar 27, 2026 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103 and H.R. 7084. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 8029, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084.
  8. Mar 27, 2026 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1131. (consideration: CR H2782-2788)
  9. Mar 25, 2026 Rule H. Res. 1131 passed House.
  10. Mar 24, 2026 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1131 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103 and H.R. 7084. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 8029, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084.
  11. Mar 20, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 484.
  12. Mar 20, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-563.

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