Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-123.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
This legislation is known as the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act. It requires specific agency leaders to develop a standard methodology based on chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood. This effort is meant to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud. The methodology must meet certain requirements, such as using an easily carried field kit and being able to test prepared food like sushi or poke. Initial species for identification pilot studies must include red snapper and tuna. Finally, a report detailing the methodology and operational plan must be submitted to appropriate committees of Congress within two years.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Directly combats illegal fishing which helps prevent overfishing and protects marine ecosystems.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
Authorizes technical assistance and collaboration with other nations to combat illegal fishing and organized crime.
- Scored +4
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
Promotes international cooperation through the sharing of maritime intelligence and personnel.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Enforcement Tools: Under Section 2, key agency leadership must jointly develop a standard methodology based on chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud. This is positive because it gives law enforcement a clear way to fight seafood fraud and illegal fishing.
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Portable Testing Capabilities: Under Section 2(b)(2)(C), the methodology must involve the use of a field kit that can be easily carried by one individual. This is positive because it makes testing practical and mobile for officials in the field.
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Testing Prepared Foods: Under Section 2(b)(2)(D), the methodology must, to the extent practicable, be used to test prepared food, including raw preparations of seafood, such as ceviche, sashimi, sushi, and poke. This is positive because it expands the reach of the testing to common consumer meals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Authorizes technical assistance and collaboration with other nations to combat illegal fishing and organized crime. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Promotes international cooperation through the sharing of maritime intelligence and personnel. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Reduces the impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing on legal trade markets.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Directly combats illegal fishing which helps prevent overfishing and protects marine ecosystems.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Requires the development of new chemical analysis methodologies and pilot studies for seafood origin.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — Enhances the ability of law enforcement to detect illegal seafood imports and fight organized crime.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Helps ensure the authenticity and legal origin of seafood products for consumers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands the mandate of federal agencies to standardize seafood identification across jurisdictions.
- Public Law (10/16/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
The changes one chamber made to the other chamber’s version, as it passed them
- 10/15/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-123.
- 10/5/2026
- Presented to President.
- 9/28/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 9/24/2026
- Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
- Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
- 9/15/2026
- Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
- 9/14/2026
- 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 H5557-5558)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 283.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5557-5558)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 7/15/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 7/14/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4341; text: CR S4341-4342)
- 6/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-24.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
- 2/5/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi