Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026

This bill would authorize the President to prohibit a vessel from entering or operating in the United States if it has visited a port, harbor, or marine terminal that was seized or nationalized from a U.S. entity by a Western Hemisphere country with a free trade agreement. This prohibition would remain in effect until the President determines that the property has been restored, acceptable compensation has been paid, or the dispute has been otherwise resolved. The bill includes exceptions for vessels experiencing emergencies or those granted access to a facility by the original U.S. property owner.

This bill affects owners and operators of vessels that transit ports or marine terminals in Western Hemisphere countries that have been nationalized or expropriated from U.S. entities. It also impacts U.S. individuals and entities whose property abroad has been seized by foreign governments that maintain free trade agreements with the United States. Additionally, the legislation involves the President and federal authorities responsible for enforcing port entry prohibitions and managing maritime emergencies.

• Authorization to prohibit vessel entry. The President may bar a vessel from entering or operating in the United States if it has visited a port, harbor, or marine terminal that was seized or nationalized from a U.S. entity by a Western Hemisphere country with a U.S. free trade agreement.
• Conditions for lifting entry prohibitions. Restrictions on vessel entry remain in place until the President determines the property has been restored, acceptable compensation has been paid, the conditions for the ban are no longer met, or the dispute is otherwise resolved.
• Emergency and owner-authorized exceptions. The bill allows otherwise prohibited foreign vessels to enter U.S. waters in the event of an emergency involving the vessel or its passengers, or if a U.S. property owner granted access to the covered facility.

• H.R. 7084, Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026
  Feb 12, 2026 · As ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on January 21, 2026

The bill establishes new presidential authority to restrict vessel entry while providing exceptions for emergency situations currently recognized under existing law.

The bill aims to protect American-owned property by authorizing the President to prohibit vessels from entering the United States if they have utilized ports or terminals in the Western Hemisphere that were seized or nationalized from U.S. entities. This restriction is intended to remain in place until the foreign government restores ownership, provides compensation, or otherwise resolves the property dispute.