Gregory Meeks (D-NY)
Stop Illegal Fishing Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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
The Stop Illegal Fishing Act requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons and vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. These sanctions target vessel owners, captains, senior crew members, and entities primarily involved in such activities. Sanctions include asset blocking and the revocation of visas or entry documentation. The President must also establish a specific sanctions program and submit annual reports to Congress. This legislation aims to deter practices that threaten marine ecosystems and violate international law.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill directly aims to protect marine ecosystems and prevent overfishing through sanctions.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Protecting fisheries helps preserve ocean bounties that developing nations and low-income coastal communities rely on.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill aims to deter illegal fishing which protects global food supply security and fair trade practices.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill imposes strict visa revocations and ineligibility for certain foreign persons.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries: By targeting IUU fishing, the bill seeks to address a driver of overfishing that threatens fisheries and damages marine ecosystems (Section 2).
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Support for Coastal Communities: The bill acknowledges that IUU fishing has a nefarious impact on coastal communities in poor and developing nations that rely on ocean bounties (Section 2).
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Improved Crew Conditions: The legislation targets activities often associated with substandard conditions, such as lack of safety controls, low pay, inhumane treatment, and forced labor (Section 2).
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Economic and Maritime Security: The Act aims to address activities that undermine the economic security of the United States and maritime security globally (Section 2).
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Protection of Humanitarian Access: The bill includes exceptions to ensure that sanctions do not interfere with the sale of food, medicine, or the provision of humanitarian assistance (Section 3(f)(2)).
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Safety of Maritime Personnel: Exceptions are provided so that sanctions do not prevent the provision of goods necessary for the safety and care of a vessel's crew (Section 3(f)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Impact on Targeted Entities: The bill allows for asset blocking, which can prohibit transactions in all property and interests in property of the targeted foreign person or vessel (Section 3(a) and 3(e)(1)).
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Restrictions on Movement and Entry: Individuals identified as engaging in IUU fishing are rendered inadmissible to the United States and are ineligible for visas or parole (Section 3(e)(2)(A)).
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Loss of Current Travel Documents: The Act requires the immediate revocation of any existing visas or entry documentation held by identified individuals (Section 3(e)(2)(B)).
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill directly aims to protect marine ecosystems and prevent overfishing through sanctions.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill aims to deter illegal fishing which protects global food supply security and fair trade practices.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — By targeting illegal fishing, the bill promotes fair competition and adheres to international maritime laws.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill addresses maritime security and illegal activities that impact international maritime borders.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Protecting fisheries helps preserve ocean bounties that developing nations and low-income coastal communities rely on. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill imposes strict visa revocations and ineligibility for certain foreign persons.
- 6/9/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 6/8/2026
- 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. (text: CR H3968-3969)
- 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.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 2.
- 12/1/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Young KimRepublican · California