On Friday, November 04, 2011, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 3321 under a suspension of the rules requiring a two-thirds majority vote for approval.  H.R. 3321 was introduced by Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA) on November 2, 2011, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which reported took no official action.

H.R. 3321 would provide a waiver from the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (commonly known as the Jones Act) to allow non-U.S. flagged vessels carrying passengers or cargo between two U.S. ports in order to participate in the America’s Cup races.  Preliminary international sailing races leading up to the 2013 America's Cup are currently taking place, with events scheduled along several U.S. coastlines—including off the «coast of San Diego, California, starting Nov. 12.  Under the bill, officially competing vessels as well as support vessels that transport individuals and equipment and supplies for staging, operating, or broadcasting the competition are granted waivers from U.S. coastwise trading laws. Ferries and vessels that transport more than 25 individuals would not be eligible, nor would any vessel that transports individuals point-to-point for hire.

A CBO estimate was not available as of press time.