# Congress Bars Foreign Ownership in Critical Assets

Congress has reaffirmed and maintained restrictions that bar foreign entities from owning 25% or more of American fishing boats, fishing fleets, ships, airlines, broadcast licenses, nuclear plants, and farmland. These ownership limitations extend to transportation sectors, including trucking companies, where the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has also taken regulatory actions such as stripping commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) from immigrant drivers. This regulatory framework affects ownership structures and investment eligibility in key industries, influencing procurement strategies and contracting opportunities for both government agencies and private sector participants.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should be aware that foreign ownership restrictions may limit vendor eligibility and influence contract award decisions in sectors like transportation, agriculture, and energy.
- Companies involved in these industries must ensure compliance with ownership rules to qualify for government contracts or licenses.
- This environment may create opportunities for domestic firms or joint ventures structured to meet ownership thresholds.
- Agencies and contractors should evaluate ownership disclosures carefully during procurement planning and due diligence to avoid regulatory conflicts.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- United States Congress

### Sources
- [Foreigners can't own 25% of an American fishing boat.
Congress bars foreigners from owning fishing fleets, ships, airlines, broadcast licenses, nuclear plants, and farmland. FMCSA stripped CDLs from immigrant drivers, but who owns the trucking company? https://t.co/6mKwvAg8tS](https://x.com/RobCarpenter/status/2102381786277789778) - twitter-sled