T&I Committee Advances Key Maritime, Energy, and Environment Bills
On Wednesday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved important bipartisan measures, namely the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 4183) and the Promoting Innovation in Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2025 (H.R. 5301). For the CNMI, H.R. 4183 is important since nearly everything we consume, from food to fuel, arrives on our islands by ocean freight. By reauthorizing the FMC and strengthening its ability to protect American shippers from unfair and anticompetitive practices by foreign-flagged carriers, this bill helps ensure that small, remote markets like the Marianas are not disadvantaged by global shipping giants. A fairer, more transparent maritime system means more stable shipping costs, stronger protections for local businesses, and greater reliability for families and communities who depend on imports every day. These bipartisan steps are important wins for the Marianas, and I look forward to seeing them advance in the House.