Every member of Alabama’s U.S. House Congressional delegation believes that American companies abroad should be protected from foreign governments seizing their properties.
The Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 passed in the House last week with the support of both Democratic and Republican representatives from the Yellowhammer State.
The legislation was designed to deter foreign governments from seizing U.S. business assets without compensation.
“This legislation makes it clear: the United States will not stand for unlawful harassment campaigns against American companies and American workers,” U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said on the House Floor Friday.
The issue gained attention in 2023 when Mexican armed forces seized a port facility owned by Alabama-based Vulcan Materials in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The occupation lasted more than a month and intensified a long-running property battle between Mexico and the company.
The delegation is now determined to make sure an illegal seizure like that never happens again to an American company.
“This is about fairness and accountability,” U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said. “It is about ensuring that American companies and workers are not punished for following the rules while foreign governments face no consequences for breaking them. With this, we are ensuring protection for American companies that operate in the Western Hemisphere.”
“The protection of American property rights overseas is essential not only for economic growth but also for our national and economic security,” he added. “When we stand up for our businesses, we stand up for the workers and communities who depend on them.”
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.
“US companies must be able to conduct business in the world marketplace without fear of unlawful expropriation,” U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said. “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.”
“No foreign government should ever be able to shut down an American company’s operations, seize its property, and ignore the rule of law, but that is exactly what we have seen the Government of Mexico do to Alabama’s Vulcan Materials,” U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said. “If you target American businesses, there will be consequences.”
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“The Defending American Property Abroad Act is about defending American workers, American businesses, and the rule of law,” U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) praised the passage of the bill in the House.
“Good news! The House passed a bipartisan bill that would defend Birmingham’s Vulcan Materials Company against continued attacks by the Mexican government,” Sewell said. “I will continue to fight for the workers in my district who have suffered from illegal trade actions by foreign nations.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
