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The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), a bill designed to address port blockages, passed the Senate on March 31. The House, which earlier passed its own version of the bill, will need to approve the Senate version or bring the two bills to conference committee prior to being sent to the president for his signature.
The Senate bill was cosponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).
Sen. Klobuchar said in a press release, “Congestion at ports and increased shipping costs pose unique challenges for U.S. exporters, who have seen the price of shipping containers increase four-fold in just two years, raising costs for consumers and hurting our businesses. Meanwhile, ocean carriers that are mostly foreign-owned have reported record profits. This legislation will help American exporters get their goods to market in a timely manner for a fair price.”
Sen. Thune said the bill “would level the playing field for American farmers, exporters, and consumers by making it harder for ocean carriers to unreasonably refuse goods that are ready to export at U.S. ports. Especially with record inflation in prices of goods, this legislation would also benefit consumers by promoting the fluidity and efficiency of the supply chain.”
SOURCE: NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL
