The House is planning to vote this week on legislation that aims to stem foreign imports of shrimp and bolster domestic producers.
Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls’ H.R. 2071, the “Save our Shrimpers Act,” would prohibit federal funds from being made available to international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank to finance foreign shrimp farms.
The bipartisan bill is also led by Louisiana Reps. Clay Higgins (R) and Troy Carter (D) and Texas Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D). The proposal claims a total of 20 co-sponsors.
“Shrimpers across the country, including shrimpers in my district, are struggling to stay afloat due to an excess of foreign shrimp flooding our markets,” Nehls said in March. “Sadly, our tax dollars have been used to bankroll foreign shrimp operations, which are driving American shrimpers out of business.”
