Bilirakis and Bipartisan Group of Coastal Lawmakers Introduce the Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Garret Graves (R-LA-06), Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Russell Fry (R-SC-07), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13), Julia Letlow (R-LA-05), and Barry Moore (R-AL-02)introduced the bipartisanSave our Shrimpers Act of 2024. Sadly, many of our nation’s domestic shrimpers are struggling to stay in businessbecause of foreign shrimp being dumped into U.S. markets. This practice makes it extremely difficult for shrimpers to continue operating. Alarmingly, it has been uncovered that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used to finance foreign shrimp farm operations through International Financial Institutions (IFIs), such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is contributing to the demise of our nation’s shrimping industry. The bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024 wouldprohibit federal funds from being made available to IFIs to finance any activity relating to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp in any foreign country to the United States. Federal law USC 262(h) stipulates that the U.S. Department of the Treasury shall instruct United States Executive Directors at International Monetary Institutions to vote against any assistance by such institutions that facilitates an export commodity surplus that causes injury or harm to United States producers. Unfortunately, there have been limited circumstances where the Treasury has been in compliance with this law, and it is difficult to trace how U.S. Executive Directors at IFIs have complied or not complied with this no-vote mandate. Today’s bipartisan legislation would also address this concern by triggering an investigation within the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and require annual reports to Congress to track how U.S. Executive Directors at IFIs are complying with USC 262(h).
“This America-First initiative would ensure US tax dollars are not used to subsidize foreign competitors within the shrimping industry,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Florida’s 12th Congressional District is home to many thriving shrimpers who are being disadvantaged by the current policy that allows their hard-earned tax dollars to prop-up foreign competitors. It is only commonsense to prohibit this practice and protect our local shrimpers!”
“Due to the global excess capacity and production of farm-raised shrimp and imports, the U.S. market is being overwhelmed and driving shrimp prices down to levels that many shrimpers cannot cover the cost of a single shrimp fishing trip,” said Congressman Nehls. “Shrimpers in the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, along the Gulf Coast, and Atlantic Coast are faced with similar difficult decisions of whether to catch shrimp, tie up the trawlers for the season, or even be forced to sell their trawlers. In order to save our nation’s shrimping industry, we must exhaust every legislative option on the table. I commend my colleagues for joining me in support of this important effort to save our shrimpers.”
“The impact of Hurricane Ian on our local seafood industry was devastating,” said Congressman Donalds. “As our community rebuilds, shrimpers must also deal with a market that is oversaturated with U.S. taxpayer-financed foreign product. I am proud to stand with Rep. Nehls in demanding that American taxpayer dollars are not used to sabotage Southwest Florida’s seafood industry. Government must always put the American people first.”
“Domestic businesses, manufacturing, farming, and food production have been the pillars of American strength that have upheld our nation as a global power,” said Congresswoman Luna. “Foreign interests know this and have been targeting every industry, including the shrimp industry, to diminish our markets and hurt America. For decades, Congress has allowed our tax dollars to fund foreign shrimping operations, resulting in unfair competition and a weakened U.S. shrimp industry. It’s time to end this. I’m proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024. No longer will we allow our tax dollars to go to international institutions that seek to cripple our economy and our domestic food supply. Our shrimpers deserve a fighting chance, and it’s time our government stops working against them.”