Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act. It directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior to work on bilateral procedures with Japan. The goal is to clarify how authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts are treated under a specific treaty. The Secretary of the Interior is also given the ability to modify certain regulations and must work on outreach with stakeholders. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to remove certain bird species from these applications if their populations decline.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Specifically benefits Alaska Natives by clarifying and protecting the sale of traditional handicrafts.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Directly supports economic and cultural activities in rural Alaskan communities.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Reduces regulatory ambiguity for those selling authentic Alaska Native handicrafts.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 3(a)(1) requires the Secretary of State to work with the Secretary of the Interior to enter into procedures with the foreign country party to the treaty to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft offered for sale containing nonedible migratory bird parts. This could benefit Alaska Natives by providing clearer rules for selling their traditional handicrafts.
-
Section 3(c) mandates that the Secretary of the Interior work in collaboration with the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council and other appropriate stakeholders to develop outreach and communication resources. This benefits people by helping them clearly understand the rules pertaining to the sale of these authentic handicrafts.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3(b) states that if the Secretary of the Interior determines that any of the bird species used show significant population declines or are determined to be a Bird of Conservation Concern, the Secretary may modify regulations to remove those species from application under the Act. This could negatively impact artisans who rely on those specific bird parts for their traditional handicrafts if they are no longer allowed to use them.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Specifically benefits Alaska Natives by clarifying and protecting the sale of traditional handicrafts. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly supports economic and cultural activities in rural Alaskan communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Reduces regulatory ambiguity for those selling authentic Alaska Native handicrafts. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides legal avenues for artisans in potentially low-income rural areas to sell traditional works.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Clarifies and streamlines the legal sale of specific cultural goods internationally. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Requires the Secretary of State to engage in bilateral procedures with Japan. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Facilitates bilateral coordination with Japan regarding treaty compliance and handicrafts.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Supports traditional economic activities in rural Alaska. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Includes provisions to remove species from the act if they show significant population declines.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Protects and legitimizes traditional cultural practices and economic activities of Alaska Natives. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Supports the economic viability of traditional arts for Alaska Native communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides regulatory clarity for Alaska Native artisans to sell their handicrafts.
- 9/15/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 9/14/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5564-5565)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6021.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5566)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 8/27/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 675.
- 7/22/2026
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2/4/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 1/28/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 11/12/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.