U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) is voicing support for new legislation aimed at protecting American-owned assets abroad, pointing to a dispute involving an Alabama-based company as a key example.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026, a measure designed to deter foreign governments from seizing U.S. business assets without compensation.
“I was proud to support the Defending American Property Abroad Act on the House Floor today,” Rogers said. “US companies must be able to conduct business in the world marketplace without fear of unlawful expropriation. This issue hits close to home for Alabama companies as the Mexican government continues its attempts to seize a port owned by Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials. This is just one example of the nightmare scenario many US-based companies face. Every day countries are allowed to seize American property undeterred, our country’s national and economic security is threatened. This legislation ensures protection for American companies as they operate throughout the Western Hemisphere, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”
The bill, also known as H.R.7084, would give the president authority to deny entry into U.S. ports for vessels that use foreign ports where American-owned property has been seized. Lawmakers say the measure is intended to discourage foreign governments from nationalizing or restricting access to U.S. investments.
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) and has gained support from business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has raised concerns about the protection of trillions of dollars in American investments overseas.
Supporters say the bill specifically responds to actions by Mexico involving a U.S.-owned port in the Yucatán Peninsula, which has been at the center of an ongoing dispute. Under the legislation, restrictions on vessels could be lifted if the foreign government returns the property, compensates the owner, or resolves the conflict.
According to a Congressional Budget Office analysis, implementing the measure is expected to have minimal fiscal impact through 2031.
If signed into law, the bill would mark a significant step in strengthening protections for American companies operating internationally, with potential implications for Alabama-based businesses engaged in global markets.
