119th Congress · introduced in the House · Dec 1, 2025
Stop Illegal Fishing Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Jun 9, 2026): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Dec 1, 2025)
Stop Illegal Fishing Act
This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign vessels and persons engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).
The bill directs the President to block and prohibit all transactions involving property (including interests in property) of a covered foreign vessel or person if such property comes within the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person. The President must also deny or revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to or sought by a covered foreign person. Civil and criminal penalties apply to violations, including attempts or conspiracies to violate the sanctions.
A covered foreign vessel is any vessel that is registered or operated under the authority of a foreign country and engages in IUU fishing. Covered foreign persons are individuals or entities that are not U.S. persons and knowingly (1) own any vessel that engages in IUU fishing, (2) work as a captain or senior crew member on any vessel that engages in IUU fishing, (3) operate as an entity primarily engaged in IUU fishing, or (4) serve as an officer or senior manager in an entity primarily engaged in IUU fishing.
The President may waive the application of these sanctions after notifying Congress that the waiver is important to U.S. national security interests. Other exceptions apply, such as to provide life-saving assistance to a covered vessel.
The bill directs the President to periodically report to Congress on efforts to carry out these provisions.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3968-3969)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3968-3969)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6338.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3968-3970)
Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 2.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Congressional oversight · Marine and coastal resources, fisheries · Marine and inland water transportation · Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents · Sanctions · Visas and passports
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