Oakland poised to benefit from Garamendi bill to prioritize shipments of U.S. products

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, and Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, have introduced the “American Port Access Privileges Act” — a bill that would prioritize U.S. exporters, putting them at the front of the line at ports to support the domestic economy.

The legislation, HR 8243, builds upon the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 16. It is endorsed by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, National Milk Producers Federation, and California Farm Bureau Federation.