House Passes Amata-Cosponsored Bipartisan FISHES Act   

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of a bipartisan bill she co-introduced, the FISHES Act, H.R. 5103. 

This effort was in cooperation with a dozen cosponsors at introduction, including sponsor Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) with Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), and original cosponsors Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa), and Congressman James Moylan (Guam).

“Living with our great ocean, we know disaster can strike quickly, sometimes with little warning, and bring devastating winds, waves, and damages,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I am pleased to be part of a bipartisan group in co-introducing the FISHES Act to support and require NOAA to conduct expedited response for the restoration of fisheries after emergencies.”

Last year, as part of this 118th Congress, which is in its last several weeks, Congresswoman Aumua Amata was an original cosponsor upon introduction of the bipartisan bill, which is fully titled the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act.

The bill was endorsed by many organizations including the National Audubon Society, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Captains for Clean Water, American Conservation Coalition Action, National Association of Charterboat Operators, and more. 

The full list of original cosponsors includes Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Troy Carter (D-LA), Troy Nehls (R-TX), John Rutherford (R-FL), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Brian Mast (R-FL).  

Conservation Enhancement

In other news, the House also passed the America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024, S.3791, which had already been passed by the U.S. Senate. Led by Sen. Thomas Carper, (D-DE), the bill originated in the Senate with bipartisan co-sponsorships. It provides new five-year authorizations of key programs, including the next five years of support for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which was chartered by Congress as a private organization that provides grants and supports sustainable habitats. 

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