A bill to repeal the requirements of the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 with respect to dredging and dredged material.
Introduced June 11, 2026 · Last action June 11, 2026
Plain English Summary
This bill repeals provisions of the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 that currently restrict the use of foreign-owned or foreign-built dredging vessels in U.S. waters. Currently, the Act requires that dredging work in U.S. ports and waterways use American-built and American-owned vessels; repealing it would allow foreign dredging companies and vessels to compete for U.S. dredging contracts.
Who benefits
Foreign dredging companies and vessel operators (particularly those based in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East where specialized dredging fleets are concentrated); U.S. port authorities and shipping companies seeking lower-cost dredging services; importers and exporters who benefit from lower port maintenance costs; U.S. companies that contract dredging services for industrial and infrastructure projects
Who pays / loses
U.S.-owned dredging companies and the domestic dredging industry (including companies like Boskalis USA, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, and other American dredging operators); American mariners and workers employed in the U.S. dredging sector; domestic shipbuilders who construct dredging vessels
Funding & Lobbying Interests
The dredging industry has competing financial interests: foreign dredging companies (major international operators like Jan De Nul, DEME, and Boskalis headquartered in Europe) and their U.S. subsidiaries lobby for removal of these restrictions; conversely, domestic U.S. dredging companies and the maritime unions (such as the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots) typically oppose such legislation. The bill would directly benefit the foreign dredging industry at the expense of domestic marine contractors.
Sponsor
Vote Record
No recorded votes.
Campaign Finance — Primary Sponsor
Top contributing industries
Other$1,385,935.74
Finance$8,994.41
Transportation$2,368.91
Law$1,725
Healthcare$1,662.5
501(c)(4) disclosure: Contributions from 501(c)(4) "dark money" organizations are not required to be publicly disclosed and are not reflected in the figures above. Data sourced from FEC public disclosure filings.
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