Morgan Griffith voted AGAINST bipartisan reforms to fix supply chain and shipping delays

On March 21, 2024, Morgan Griffith voted against H.R. 1836, known as the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023, legislation that aimed to update and improve how ocean shipping is regulated in the United States. The bill focused on fixing gaps in existing law and strengthening oversight of global shipping practices that affect supply chains. He was one of only 24 who voted against it.

The bill would have:

·       Updated federal shipping laws to improve how ocean carriers and shipping agreements are regulated

·       Strengthened oversight of international shipping practices, which can affect costs and delays for U.S. goods

·       Made technical fixes to existing reforms passed in 2022, aimed at improving supply chain efficiency.

Griffith’s vote means that:

·       He opposed updates meant to improve supply chains that affect the cost of goods Americans rely on

·       In a region dependent on transported goods and materials, inefficiencies in shipping can raise prices for businesses and consumers

Supporters of the bill argued that it would strengthen supply chains and reduce shipping disruptions that drive up costs. Opponents raised concerns about regulatory overreach and unintended consequences for the shipping industry.

In Southwest Virginia, where businesses and families already face rising costs for goods and materials, this vote could have a direct effect on small businesses, manufacturers and consumers who rely on efficient and affordable shipping.

Read the full bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1836/text

Return to FMG Home