The House of Representatives on April 1 adopted legislation that would restore and strengthen U.S.-flag cargo preference shipping requirements. The provisions, sponsored by Congressmen Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and John Garamendi (D-CA), are included in HR 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. As passed, the legislation restores the U.S.-flag share of food aid cargoes to 75 percent, reversing the arbitrary and unwarranted reduction to 50 percent enacted in 2012. In addition, the bill clarifies the authority of the U.S. Maritime Administration to enforce cargo preference and to be the final arbiter in determining the applicability of U.S.-flag shipping requirements to government programs. The legislation now moves on to the Senate.