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119th Congress Public Lands and Natural Resources

H.R. 4294: MAWS Act of 2026

Passed HouseMar 17, 2026

  1. Introduced (completed)Jul 7, 2025
  2. Passed House (completed)Mar 17, 2026, 320–66
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Reported to House, Feb 23, 2026

This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a pilot program to facilitate the purchase of blue catfish caught within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. (Blue catfish are considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.)

Under the program, NOAA must enter into cooperative agreements with manufacturers or processors of pet food, animal feed, or aquaculture feed for the purchase of blue catfish from watermen and seafood processors. NOAA must determine the minimum price per pound after considering market factors; feedback from watermen, seafood processors, and participants in the program; and differentiation of price points for fillet and byproduct.

The bill also requires NOAA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with nonfederal partners to develop abundance estimates of blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. NOAA must make the first abundance estimate publicly available before beginning the pilot program.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Mar 17, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed 320–66

Yea 320two-thirds 258Nay 66

  • Democrats192 yea, 1 nay
  • Republicans127 yea, 65 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ), David Taylor (R-OH), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Keith Self (R-TX), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Gary Palmer (R-AL) and Scott Perry (R-PA) voted Nay; and 56 more

See how all 386 members voted

Showing 431 of 431 members

Yea 320

Republicans (127)

Democrats (192)

Independents (1)

Nay 66

Republicans (65) broke with their party

Democrats (1) broke with their party

Not voting 45

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Mar 17, 2026. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Mar 17, 2026HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as AmendedFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 320–66
    Roll call 88 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats1921021
    Republicans12765024
    Independents1000
    Total32066045

    House roll call 88: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Passed.

    66 crossed party lines: 1 Democrat, 65 Republicans

    How each member voted (431)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

10

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

504 points earned
  1. 1Sarah Elfreth D-MD SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, marked up, reported, passed House5 events+68
  2. 2Troy Balderson R-OH1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 2Tom Barrett R-MI1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 2Aaron Bean R-FL1 maverick vote1 event+6
  5. 2Nicholas Begich R-AK1 maverick vote1 event+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

History

  1. Mar 17, 2026Passed the House, 320–66.
  2. Jul 7, 2025Introduced in the House by Sarah Elfreth.
Show the full action history (18 actions)
  1. Mar 18, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Mar 17, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)
  3. Mar 17, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 320 - 66 (Roll no. 88).
  4. Mar 17, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 320 - 66 (Roll no. 88).
  5. Mar 17, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  6. Mar 16, 2026Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  7. Mar 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)
  8. Mar 16, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.
  9. Mar 16, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  10. Feb 23, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
  11. Feb 23, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.
  12. Jan 22, 2026Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
  13. Jan 22, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  14. Jan 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
  15. Jul 22, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
  16. Jul 16, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
  17. Jul 7, 2025Introduced in House
  18. Jul 7, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.