Legislation· Mar 2026Sponsored by Sarah Elfreth (D)
MAWS Act of 2026
Creates a pilot program for NOAA to buy invasive blue catfish from Chesapeake Bay watermen.
Tradeoff
Funds purchases of invasive blue catfish from watermen for pet food and animal feed manufacturers, helping control the species and support local fishing. Requires NOAA to track the program's environmental and economic effects through 2032.
What's in it
The House passed this 320-66 on March 17, 2026 — now in the Senate.
House
Introduced
(Jul 7, 2025)
House
Committee on Natural Resources(Jul 7, 2025)
House
The Committee on Natural Resources voted to send it to the floor
Reported(Jan 22, 2026)
Committee report H. Rept. 119-510.
House
On Motion to and Pass, as Amended
Passed(Roll #88 · Mar 17, 2026)
320 yeanay 66Senate
Received from the House
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation(Mar 18, 2026)
- Robert J. Wittman (R-VA)
- Jennifer A. Kiggans (R-VA)
- Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD)
- Glenn Ivey (D-MD)
- April McClain Delaney (D-MD)
- Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)
- Kweisi Mfume (D-MD)
- Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA)
- Celeste Maloy (R-UT)
- Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ)
Passage votes so far· Mar 17, 2026· 119th Congress · 2025–2027