House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee favorably reports eight bills and one resolution on voice votes

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Thursday favorably reported eight bills and one resolution by voice vote, advancing measures that would expand port security funding options, give the U.S. Coast Guard overdose-treatment tools and expanded enforcement authority, increase cargo preference for U.S.-flag vessels, and change transparency rules for Amtrak and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Why it matters: The markup bundled a broad set of transportation, maritime and water‑policy items that the committee chair described as steps to secure supply chains, support maritime workers and increase transparency for federal transportation entities. Several members emphasized national‑security and public‑safety rationales; others pressed for safeguards for confidential commercial and security information.

The committee moved the following measures by voice vote and agreed to them for favorable reporting to the House:

- H.R. 2390, the Maritime Supply Chain Security Act: The bill clarifies that Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants may be used to replace port cranes and related hardware and software of Chinese origin. Representative Rausser introduced the bill and said, “Simply put, the bill is going to allow PIDP funds to be used to replace Chinese cranes at our nation's ports.” The committee agreed to report the bill favorably by voice vote; the motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

- H.R. 2351, to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update policy on use of medication to treat drug overdose and related enforcement changes: The measure, introduced by Representative McDowell, amends the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act to clarify authority to prosecute certain offenses involving unmanned or remote vessels and requires Coast Guard stations and operational environments to have naloxone available. McDowell said the bill “ensures that Naloxone is available in the event of a worst case scenario.” The committee adopted and favorably reported the bill by voice vote.

- H.R. 252, the Secure Our Ports Act of 2025 (as amended): The committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute and then agreed to report H.R. 252 as amended. The substitute prohibits port ownership, leasing or operation contracts with entities owned by the governments of China, Russia, North Korea or Iran. The amendment in the nature of a substitute was adopted by voice vote; the bill as amended was then favorably reported.

- H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act: The bill would raise the cargo‑preference requirement administered by the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration to 100% for DOT‑procured, furnished or financed cargo, aligning it with existing Department of Defense requirements. Representative Carbajal, an original sponsor, said the measure is “the maritime industry's version of Buy America.” The committee approved the bill by voice vote for favorable reporting.

- H.R. 188, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act (as amended): The bill would subject Amtrak’s board meetings to open‑meetings requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act, with exceptions. An amendment offered by Representative Titus was adopted to allow executive sessions for confidential commercial discussions and for matters that would pose passenger or employee safety risks. Titus said the amendment “ensures that sensitive discussions about security measures … are not revealed to potential bad actors.” The committee adopted the amendment and then favorably reported H.R. 188 as amended by voice vote.

- H.R. 248, the Baby Changing on Board Act: The bipartisan bill would require Amtrak to install baby changing stations and accessible restrooms on new passenger cars and to post signage about availability. Members described the measure as long overdue; the committee favorably reported the bill by voice vote.

- H.R. 1373, the Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 (as amended): The amendment in the nature of a substitute was adopted; the substitute requires TVA board meetings to be open and to provide seven days' online notice for future meetings when possible. Representative McDowell said the bill “requires Tennessee Valley Authority meetings to be open to the public and requires 7 days notice online for future meetings.” The committee favorably reported the bill as amended.

- H.R. 1948, to authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to accept contributed funds for wastewater treatment and flood‑control works: The committee agreed to report the bill favorably by voice vote. The chair said the bill “will allow the IBWC to partner with other entities to address the maintenance backlog for critical water infrastructure.”

- H. Res. 137, designating the House press gallery rooms H‑315 through H‑319 as the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery (as amended): An amendment in the nature of a substitute was offered and adopted; Representative Owens described Frederick Douglass’s role as “the first black man to report on Congress” and urged passage. The resolution was favorably reported by voice vote.

What members said: Committee Chairman Graves (Chairman Graves) opened and closed the session and repeatedly noted unanimous‑consent procedures and the use of an electronic voting system should a recorded vote be requested. Ranking Member Larson spoke in support of many of the measures and asked the committee to protect funding levels for programs such as PIDP. Representative Rausser, introducing H.R. 2390, argued the measure would help ports “confront potential threats to the United States supply chain posed by Chinese‑made cranes and associated software and hardware.” Representative Ratzer urged a stark choice in his remarks: “If you're for China, vote no. If you're for The United States, vote yes.” Representative McDowell, who introduced H.R. 2351, framed that bill as both a public‑safety and enforcement measure and described recent large drug interdictions by Coast Guard cutters.

Procedure and next steps: All measures considered during the markup were agreed to by voice vote; the committee authorized staff to make technical, clarifying and conforming changes to the reported measures and allowed members two calendar days to file supplemental or dissenting views. The committee also authorized the chairman, with consultation with the ranking member, to offer motions in the House as needed to confer with the Senate on measures adopted today. The committee adjourned after completing its business.