Federal food programs would require U.S.-sourced seafood
In committeeH.R. 8337Latest action
Sponsor: Julia Letlow · Representative · LA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Buy American Seafood Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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Federal agencies would have to buy American-caught or American-raised seafood for most federal food programs, with limited waiver options.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill would require federal agencies to purchase seafood only from U.S. waters or U.S. farming and processing operations. It covers programs like school meals, emergency food assistance, military food services, and disaster relief. Agencies could request a waiver to buy foreign seafood only if the U.S. supply is too small or does not meet food safety and quality standards, and any waiver must be publicly reported within 30 days.
Who does it affect?
This bill affects federal agencies that buy food, seafood suppliers and distributors that sell to the government, and the people who receive food through these programs — including schoolchildren, military personnel, and disaster survivors.
Why does it matter?
If passed, agencies would need to review and possibly change how and from whom they source seafood. Foreign seafood suppliers could lose access to federal contracts unless a waiver is granted and reported.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 16, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Apr 16, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.