Timothy Kaine (D-VA)
Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill aims to support bilateral agreements regarding illicit transnational maritime activity. It authorizes the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons or vessels involved in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. Additionally, the bill addresses the sale, supply, purchase, or transfer of endangered species. It seeks to promote international collaboration with allies and partners to combat these issues. The legislation also provides for specific sanctions such as blocking property and restricting travel. Finally, it requires regular reports to Congress regarding these global fishing efforts.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill protects global fisheries and endangered species through targeted sanctions.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill promotes collaboration with allies and partners to combat illegal fishing.
- Scored +4
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
The bill utilizes diplomatic channels and international fora to address maritime issues.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill allows for visa ineligibility and inadmissibility for certain foreign nationals.
- Scored -2
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill authorizes sanctions that could disrupt certain international trade activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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International Collaboration: The bill prioritizes collaboration with friendly countries and international institutions to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing (Section 3(a)).
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Technological Deployment: The Secretary of State is tasked with ensuring cutting-edge technology is used in accordance with maritime law enforcement agreements (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Accountability for Harmful Actions: The bill aims to hold individuals or entities responsible for illegal fishing accountable, specifically focusing on the actions of the People's Republic of China (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Protection of Endangered Species: The bill targets the sale, supply, purchase, or transfer of endangered species, except when part of a conservation effort (Section 4(a)(1)(B)).
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Humanitarian Protections: The bill includes a humanitarian exception that prevents sanctions on transactions involving the sale of food, medicine, medical devices, or the provision of humanitarian assistance (Section 4(e)(4)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Disruptions: The President has the authority to block property and prohibit all transactions in the property of designated foreign persons (Section 4(b)(1)).
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Travel and Visa Restrictions: Aliens found to be complicit in illegal activities may face visa ineligibility, inadmissibility to the United States, or the revocation of existing visas (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Loss of Access to Trade and Finance: The President may prohibit United States financial institutions from providing loans or credits to certain foreign persons (Section 4(b)(3)) and prohibit transactions in foreign exchange (Section 4(b)(4)).
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Maritime Restrictions: Foreign vessels identified under the act may be denied access to United States ports (Section 4(b)(3) of the first version/not explicitly listed in the final version, but property blocking is noted in 4(b)(1)).
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 protects global fisheries and endangered species through targeted sanctions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill promotes collaboration with allies and partners to combat illegal fishing. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — The bill utilizes diplomatic channels and international fora to address maritime issues. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill authorizes sanctions that could disrupt certain international trade activities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the President's authority to impose sanctions on foreign entities. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular reports to Congress regarding the implementation of sanctions.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill allows for visa ineligibility and inadmissibility for certain foreign nationals.
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.
- 1/29/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida