The House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill granting the President the authority to restrict port access for vessels from countries that seize American assets abroad.

The "Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026," introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), passed on Friday morning with a vote of 247 in favor and 164 against.

The legislation was prompted by the Mexican government's seizure in March 2023 of a U.S. company-owned port in Punta Venado.

The bill authorizes the President to prohibit vessels from entering the United States if they have transited through U.S. ports, docks, or marine terminals that have been nationalized or expropriated (e.g., seized) by a government of a country in the Western Hemisphere that has a free trade agreement with the United States.

Under the bill, the President may prohibit the entry and operation of vessels if a port, dock, or marine terminal located in the Western Hemisphere, previously owned, held, or controlled by a U.S. enterprise or individual, has been nationalized or expropriated by the government of a country that has a free trade agreement with the U.S.

The prohibition would terminate if the President determines that (1) the country has restored ownership of the nationalized or expropriated property, (2) the country has provided mutually acceptable compensation for the nationalized or expropriated property, (3) the conditions for the prohibition are no longer met, or (4) the dispute has been otherwise resolved to the President's satisfaction.

The bill also includes provisions allowing entry in specific circumstances, such as when a foreign vessel otherwise prohibited from entering the U.S. faces an emergency situation involving the vessel or its occupants, or when authorized by the owner of the U.S. property for access to the facility.

In an interview with the Daily Signal following the bill's passage, Rep. Pfluger stated, "This is a necessary measure to protect American businesses and workers from being mistreated abroad."

Pfluger wrote on X, "When countries violate trade agreements and illegally seize American assets, it jeopardizes the job security, economic stability, and national security of Americans. This bill is critical because it ensures meaningful consequences for such actions."

U.S. NNP = Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Contribution to This Newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com