Kelly Bill to Ease Supply Chain Issues, Lower Costs to be Signed into Law
Today, a bill Arizona Senator Mark Kelly helped introduce, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, will be signed into law. The bill will crack down on unfair practices from ocean carriers, tackle rising costs, and help alleviate supply chain issues by streamlining the process of getting products from ship to store shelf.
“Arizonans are frustrated with rising costs at the grocery store and at the gas pump. Our bipartisan bill will get more products to store shelves and ensure that foreign-owned ocean carriers can’t take advantage of American consumers and businesses,” said Senator Kelly. “I am glad our bipartisan bill is being signed into law. We will continue pushing the administration to take more steps that bring relief to Arizona families and businesses facing the strain of these high costs.”
“The Ocean Shipping Reform Act is a measured approach that will address and ease port congestion practices that have delayed the shipment of essential technologies and components across the globe. The law will inject much-needed transparency and accountability into port practices and help prevent harmful and unnecessary delays and disruptions. ITI applauds Senator Kelly for his leadership and commends Congress for prioritizing this critical issue,” said Jason Oxman, President and CEO of Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).
“Retailers and thousands of other businesses depend on the global maritime transportation system to move goods through the supply chain every day and continue to face significant challenges, including unfair business practices by ocean carriers. Making OSRA federal law helps address longstanding systemic supply chain and port disruption issues that existed well before the pandemic by providing the Federal Maritime Commission the additional authority it needs. We commend Senator Mark Kelly for his work on this important legislation,” said David French, Senior Vice President for Government Relations for the National Retail Federation.
“SEMA and its member companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell specialty auto parts and accessories appreciate Senator Kelly’s leadership in working to pass the Ocean Shipping Reform Act,” said Daniel Ingber, Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. “This bill helps aftermarket businesses around the country, including over 200 in Arizona, that rely on a worldwide supply chain to produce and assemble products in America that improve the style and performance of motor vehicles. At a time when our members struggle to keep their shelves stocked and rising costs are adversely impacting automotive enthusiasts, the passage of this legislation will help on both fronts by addressing port disruption issues and unreasonable demurrage charges.”
“We applaud the enactment into law of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act as it will help address the longstanding, systemic supply chain and port disruptions that have impacted the agricultural industry as well as other American industries. This bipartisan legislation will help to improve U.S. competitiveness, promote continued economic recovery, and hopefully reduce the historic inflation facing the nation,” said Daren Coppock, President and CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association.
In the Senate, Kelly has continued to lead bipartisan efforts to create more microchip manufacturing jobs in Arizona and tackle global supply chain issues driving up costs for hardworking families and businesses. Kelly was recently named to the bipartisan conference committee tasked with finalizing landmark microchip and innovation legislation Kelly has championed and pushed forward in Congress for over a year. Kelly has also successfully pushed the administration to act to lower food prices.
Kelly’s bill prevents ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing to accept U.S. exports, authorizes the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to investigate carriers’ business practices and apply enforcement measures, and requires ocean carriers to report quarterly import and export tonnage.
Kelly is an original co-sponsor of the bill introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and backed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Todd Young (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Joni Ernst (R-IA).
