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S. 1646 117th Congress Senate

Open America's Waters Act

Official title: A bill to repeal the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 13, 2021 Introduced by: Mike Lee Republican · Utah See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCoast guardDepartment of Homeland SecurityLicensing and registrations
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Marine and inland water transportationTransportation safety and security
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 13, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 13, 2021
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 13, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Open America's Waters Act

This bill repeals certain limitations on the types of vessels that may engage in coastwise trade, which is the domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels.

The bill directs the U.S. Coast Guard to issue regulations that require all vessels permitted to engage in coastwise trade to meet all appropriate safety and security requirements.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 3205 Identical bill Open America’s Waters Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1646: Open America's Waters Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1646/
MLA
"S. 1646: Open America's Waters Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1646/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1646, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1646/.
Markdown link
[S. 1646: Open America's Waters Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1646/)
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