S. 4756, Jones Act Carve-Out for NATO Allies. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a net cost — and names who bears it.
S. 4756 · Net cost
What it does
This bill amends federal maritime law to allow dredging ships from NATO member countries and major U.S. allies to operate in U.S. navigable waters, bypassing the Jones Act requirement that such vessels be U.S.-built and U.S.-owned. It also exempts dredged material from domestic transportation restrictions. The primary beneficiaries are foreign shipping companies and NATO allies seeking to modernize U.S. ports; U.S. dredging operators and shipbuilders face reduced market protection.
The analysis names NATO-affiliated dredging companies — and 3 more groups — among the beneficiaries.
The cost
Dredging cost reductions may not translate to lower port fees or shipping costs for consumers; foreign operators may capture efficiency gains as profit rather than pass them through.
Transparency scores 45%. The analysis flags 1 rider and a high warning level.
Who is behind it
Filed by Mike Lee.