Protecting Jobs in American Ports Act

This bill amends U.S. coastwise laws to clarify that passenger vessels traveling between U.S. ports (including routes passing through foreign ports) must comply with domestic vessel requirements. It specifically adds a new definition to clarify that such vessels fall under these rules, while repealing an outdated section of law (Section 12121). The key change ensures passenger vessels operating on domestic U.S. routes - whether direct or with a foreign port stop - are subject to the same coastwise laws as cargo vessels. This directly affects passenger vessel operators on domestic U.S. routes, requiring them to use U.S.-flagged vessels for these services.