American Petroleum First Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8021
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:06:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8021: American Petroleum First Act
Purpose
This bill aims to ease restrictions on vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products between U.S. ports by exempting them from certain "coastwise endorsement" requirements. Coastwise endorsement is a certification under U.S. maritime law that generally requires vessels to be U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and crewed by U.S. citizens to operate in domestic trade.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility for Documentation: Amends Section 12103 of Title 46, U.S. Code, to allow certificates of documentation (official vessel registration papers) for vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products, overriding some prior restrictions.
- Exclusions for Security Reasons:
- Vessels owned (fully or partially) by Russian nationals, the Russian government, Chinese nationals, or the People's Republic of China.
- Russian- or Chinese-flagged vessels (those registered under those countries' flags).
- Vessels with any crewmember who is a Russian or Chinese national.
- Coastwise Endorsement Exemption: Amends Section 12112(a)(2)(B) of Title 46, U.S. Code, to exempt vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products from needing full coastwise endorsement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Relaxes parts of the Jones Act (a 1920 law enforcing coastwise trade rules) specifically for oil and petroleum transport, allowing more foreign vessels to participate in U.S. domestic shipping without full U.S. ownership, build, or crewing requirements.
- Introduces targeted exclusions for vessels linked to Russia or China, which were not previously specified in these sections.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Coast Guard (which issues vessel documentation) may process more applications faster, potentially reducing administrative burdens.
- Citizens and Industry: Could lower shipping costs for crude oil and petroleum products, benefiting U.S. energy producers, refiners, and consumers by improving domestic supply chain efficiency.
- International Relations: Bars Russian and Chinese involvement, potentially straining ties with those nations while signaling U.S. energy security priorities amid geopolitical tensions.
- U.S. Maritime Sector: May reduce demand for U.S.-flagged vessels in oil transport, affecting jobs in American shipbuilding and shipping.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Oil and Petroleum Industry: Primary beneficiaries through easier, cheaper domestic transport.
- Vessel Operators and Shippers: Non-Russian/Chinese owners and operators gain access to U.S. coastwise trade.
- U.S. Shipping and Maritime Unions: Potentially harmed by competition from foreign vessels.
- Russian and Chinese Entities: Explicitly excluded, limiting their market access.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Modifies longstanding maritime statutes without altering core Jones Act principles, but could face challenges from industry groups arguing it undermines domestic protections.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over commerce and navigation; no apparent conflicts with free trade or equal protection clauses.
- Political: Introduced by Republican representatives, emphasizes "America First" energy policies by prioritizing U.S. petroleum while excluding geopolitical adversaries.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2026-03-19: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-03-19: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- American Petroleum First Act — issued 2026-03-19 — PDF (3 pages)