The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (HR 7567) is advancing to a vote by the full House of Representatives, and the Southern Shrimp Alliance is advocating for and closely tracking a significant package of amendments that would deliver meaningful wins for US shrimpers, commercial fishermen, and seafood processors.
Where Things Stand
The House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm Bill with bipartisan support on March 5. The Rule Committee works with House leadership to determine which amendments reach the floor for a vote and under what conditions. A total of 362 amendments were submitted, including legislation originally introduced with the support of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. A vote by the House Rules Committee to establish the terms for full floor consideration is expected this week (starting April 27).
SSA Supported Amendments
On behalf of the US shrimp industry, the Southern Shrimp Alliance strongly endorses the inclusion of the following amendments to the final Farm Bill. Each of these ensures that US taxpayer funds support domestic food producers while enhancing the food safety and quality of seafood delivered to consumers.
Amendment 13 – Buy American Seafood Act
Introduced by Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), joined by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA)
What it does: Incorporates the Buy American Seafood Act (HR 8337), which would prohibit Federal agencies from procuring seafood for covered food programs unless the seafood is domestically sourced. The bill would also incorporate domestic seafood requirements into child nutrition programs.
Why it matters for shrimpers: The federal government spends nearly $400 million annually on seafood for nutrition programs and military feeding – dollars that too often flow to foreign competitors. This amendment would keep those dollars invested in American commercial fishing sectors and fishing communities, providing US commercial fishermen with a steady source of income.
Amendment 21 – Save Our Shrimpers Act
Introduced by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), joined by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Bryon Donalds (R-FL), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Barry Moore (R-AL), Russell Fry (R-SC), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), and Nancy Mace (R-SC)
What it does: Incorporates the Save Our Shrimpers (SOS) Act (HR 2071), as adopted by the House Financial Services Committee. It would require the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the US Executive Director at each international financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any financial assistance for any project that supports shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp in a borrowing country.
Why it matters for shrimpers: American tax dollars, channeled through institutions like the International Finance Corporation, have been used to build up the very foreign shrimp aquaculture industries that are now flooding the US market and crushing US dockside shrimp prices. This bipartisan amendment aims to disincentivize future projects that contribute to the global oversupply of shrimp.
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