CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanAmendment · S.Amdt. 6454· Senate(119-SAMDT-6454)

S.Amdt. 6454

Rep. Young
Age: 54 years
Indiana
Introduced
6/24/2026
Sponsored by
Todd Young
Cosponsors
Republican - 0Democrat - 1
Changes bill
119-S-4784 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

This amendment aims to establish the Strategic Commercial Fleet. Its purpose is to create a fleet of privately owned, commercially viable vessels to maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping and meet national security and defense requirements.

The amendment adds a new chapter to the United States Code that outlines the following changes and additions:

  • Fleet Establishment: It directs the Secretary of Transportation to create the fleet through a competitive annual selection process. The goal is to select at least 10 vessels two years after enactment, increasing to at least 20 vessels annually by the fifth year, with a total cap of 250 vessels (except during wartime).

  • Vessel Eligibility: It allows for the inclusion of newly constructed United States built vessels and "qualified foreign-built vessels" (which must be 14 years old or younger and not associated with a foreign country or entity of concern). Eligible vessel types include bulk carriers, tankers, container vessels, and others determined appropriate by the Secretary.

  • Operating Agreements: It requires covered entities to enter into 7-year operating agreements. These agreements include:

    • Prohibiting the vessels from participating in coastwise trade.
    • Requiring a percentage of repair work to be done in United States shipyards.
    • Establishing milestones for project completion.

  • Financial Support: It provides for annual operating support payments and capital support payments to help make these vessels commercially viable in foreign commerce.

  • National Security: It requires participants to enter into an emergency preparedness agreement. This ensures that the Secretary of Defense can access commercial transportation resources (vessels, terminals, and services) during war or national emergencies in exchange for fair and reasonable compensation.

  • Citizenship and Sourcing: The amendment includes a preference for United States citizens (at least 25% of selected vessels) and encourages the use of United States-produced equipment, materials, and subcontractors.