Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026

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Bill ID: 119/hr/7084
Last Updated: April 3, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

ID: P000048

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate.

April 2, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026" is a laughable attempt to protect American interests abroad, specifically in Western Hemisphere countries with free trade agreements. In reality, it's a thinly veiled protectionist measure designed to shield American corporations from the consequences of their own reckless investments.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends title 46 of the United States Code to restrict vessels that have transited certain ports or marine terminals in Western Hemisphere countries. It creates a new designation process, allowing the President to blacklist ports and harbors that have been "nationalized" or "expropriated" by foreign governments. Because, you know, American corporations are always innocent victims of foreign aggression.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: American corporations with interests in Western Hemisphere countries, shipping companies, and port operators. Oh, and let's not forget the politicians who will benefit from the campaign contributions and lobbying efforts of these affected parties.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a recipe for disaster. It will likely lead to retaliatory measures from affected countries, harming American exporters and consumers. The designation process is ripe for abuse, allowing the President to unilaterally impose sanctions on foreign entities, further destabilizing global trade. And, of course, it will do nothing to address the root causes of expropriation: American corporations' own reckless behavior and disregard for local laws and regulations.

In conclusion, this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease: the corrupting influence of corporate interests on American politics. It's a classic case of "legislative lupus" – a chronic condition where politicians prioritize the interests of their corporate donors over those of the American people. The diagnosis? Terminal stupidity, with a healthy dose of greed and cowardice. Prognosis? More of the same: empty rhetoric, ineffective policies, and a continued decline in American credibility abroad.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement State & Local Government Affairs Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$101,135
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$7,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$93,535

No PAC contributions found

1
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
2 transactions
$6,600
2
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
WILSON, CELIA R
4 transactions
$22,400
2
PUDWILL, JAMES
2 transactions
$13,200
3
GELBMAN, JOEL
2 transactions
$13,200
4
DIMEMMO, COLETTE
1 transaction
$6,600
5
AUSTIN, RUTH
2 transactions
$6,600
6
WILSON, WORD B
1 transaction
$5,000
7
O'BRIEN, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,435
8
WIDENER, BROCK
1 transaction
$3,300
9
POOL, VALRIE S
1 transaction
$3,300
10
KAMON, KENNETH
1 transaction
$3,300
11
ZALIK, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
12
JENNINGS, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
13
WALKER, TODD
1 transaction
$3,300
14
HIDUKE, MARK
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 7 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

ID: C001112

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization HIGHLAND, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jan 11, 2024
4
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
7
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
8
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Jun 26, 2024
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$2,000
Sep 21, 2023
10
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$1,500
Dec 19, 2023

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

ID: S001185

Top Contributors

10

1
FRIENDS OF MARCIA PRICE
COM NEWPORT NEWS, VA
$500
Mar 28, 2024
2
BUFFALO ROCK COMPANY
Organization BIRMINGHAM, AL
$5,000
Oct 15, 2024
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 26, 2024
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 21, 2023
5
BUFFALO ROCK COMPANY
Organization BIRMINGHAM, AL
$2,500
Sep 10, 2024
6
BUFFALO ROCK COMPANY
Organization BIRMINGHAM, AL
$2,500
Sep 30, 2024
7
LAW OFFICES OF FREDERICK GRAEFE LLC
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Sep 30, 2023
8
CHIROPRACTIC CARE INC.
Organization GULF SHORES, AL
$250
Feb 26, 2024
9
BROWN, CANDACE P.
NONE RETIRED
Individual FLORENCE, SC
$4,500
Sep 6, 2024
10
BROWN, JAMES A.
SMS COMPANY VICE PRESIDENT
Individual FLORENCE, SC
$4,500
Sep 6, 2024

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

ID: M000871

Top Contributors

10

1
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION
Organization MAYETTA, KS
$3,300
Jul 18, 2023
2
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Sep 9, 2024
3
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
5
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$2,500
Mar 28, 2023
6
BARKER FOR SHERIFF
Organization CLINTON, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
7
CARBON RIVERS, INC.
Organization KNOXVILLE, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
8
POLITY GROUP LLC
Organization PORTLAND, OR
$2,500
Oct 28, 2024
9
LYNN D'ELIA TEMES & STANCZYK
Organization SYRACUSE, NY
$1,000
Mar 12, 2024
10
POSARE SALON
Organization HENDERSON, NE
$3,300
May 3, 2024

Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

ID: E000246

Top Contributors

10

1
BAUM, ANN
OSAAT ENTERPRISES LLC DBA MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT OWNER
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
2
DUHAMEL, WILLIAM F
ROUTE ONE INVESTMENT COMPANY PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
3
BELL, JOHN W III
BILTMORE PROPERTY GROUP MANAGEMENT
Individual ASHEVILLE, NC
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
4
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDI, TRIBE
UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE
Individual CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 8, 2024
5
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDI, TRIBE
UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE
Individual CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Feb 13, 2024
6
POPE, JAMES
VARIETY WHOLESALERS RETAILER
Individual RALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Feb 12, 2024
7
SYKES, CLAY
ESG OPERATIONS INC. PRINCIPAL
Individual PENROSE, NC
$3,300
Feb 5, 2024
8
SYKES, LISA
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual PENROSE, NC
$3,300
Feb 5, 2024
9
FAISON, JAY
2040 FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024
10
FAISON, JAY
2040 FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024

Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

ID: M001239

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

ID: M001212

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,800
Dec 31, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Nov 8, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 22, 2024
4
JLS HOLDINGS LLC
Organization SALT LAKE CITY, UT
$9,900
Jul 13, 2023
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
May 16, 2024
6
HEMMCO LLC
Organization OREM, UT
$2,500
Sep 15, 2023
7
R & O CONSTRUCTION
Organization OGDEN, UT
$2,500
Sep 13, 2023
8
SISTERS MOVEMENT
Organization MCKINNEY, TX
$1,000
Sep 11, 2023
9
RAHMAN PROPERTIES
Organization SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX
$250
Feb 14, 2024
10
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY
Organization CRANDON, WI
$3,300
Dec 23, 2024

Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5]

ID: S001220

Top Contributors

10

1
REPUBLICAN MAINSTREET PARTNERSHIP PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Nov 30, 2023
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Aug 2, 2024
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 15, 2024
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Aug 2, 2023
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,000
Jun 30, 2023
6
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$1,000
Sep 29, 2023
7
JOHN PLUNK ATTORNEY PC
Organization ATHENS, AL
$1,000
Nov 18, 2024
8
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$2,900
Jun 12, 2023
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Dec 11, 2023
10
MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CT
Organization UNCASVILLE, CT
$1,000
Jan 8, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 34 nodes and 35 connections

Total contributions: $138,835

Top Donors - Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs14 Individuals