Press Release from Rep. Troy E. Nehls for the Coastal Members in Introducing the Bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), along withCongressman Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA-06), Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), and Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL-02), introduced the bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024.

Our nation's domestic shrimpers are struggling to stay in business primarily because of foreign shrimp being dumped into U.S. markets, making it extremely difficult for shrimpers to continue operating. Sadly, 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.

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.

The bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024 would prohibit 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. Additionally, this legislation would trigger 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).

"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 22^nd 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."

"Louisiana's shrimping industry is a way of life for many Louisianans and a significant economic driver for our state," said Congressman Higgins. "Due to the dumping of imported products from overseas, the shrimping industry is grappling with some of the lowest prices in recent memory. The taxpayer's hard-earned treasure shouldn't go toward building competition against the American people. By cutting federal funding to international institutions that contribute to foreign shrimp farming, we are giving domestic shrimpers a level playing field and a seat at the table. We must continue to pursue solutions that help protect Gulf seafood and prioritize domestic production."

"Foreign shrimp imports continue to wreak havoc on South Texas's shrimping industry," said Congressman Gonzalez. "Our domestic seafood markets are flooded with foreign farm-raised shrimp which are subsidized by our federal dollars. We must put an end to this! That is why I'm proud to co-lead this bill to deter International Financial Institutions from financing foreign shrimpers with U.S. taxpayer money. We must do everything in our power to help the thousands of struggling shrimpers across the country."

"American taxpayers' hard-earned dollars are being used to fund the demise of the American shrimp industry, and that's egregious," said Congressman Graves. "American shrimp are being boxed out of U.S. markets by foreign, farmed imports that also threaten Americans' health - and the use of taxpayer dollars to flood our market with imported shrimp is a man-made disaster. The seafood industry is one of Louisiana's biggest economic drivers. I'm proud to lead this bill with Rep. Nehls and will continue to aggressively pursue the protection of free and fair trade by ensuring that American dollars aren't giving these imports an unfair advantage."

"Our tax dollars should not be used to subsidize foreign shrimpers, especially those engaged in unethical trade practices," said Congressman Ezell. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Save Our Shrimpers Act to put an end to this problem and support American shrimpers."

"Our domestic shrimping industry is struggling due to an influx of foreign shrimp flooding our markets, often funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars," said Congresswoman Mace. "This bill sets clear conditions on funding to international institutions, preventing support for foreign shrimp farming. This protects American jobs and coastal economies like in the Lowcountry, ensuring our industry can thrive."

"The shrimping industry gives the state of Alabama a vital healthy food source and sustains good-paying jobs, from boat crews to processing teams to distributors," said Congressman Moore. "This legislation helps our shrimpers battle the lower quality, foreign imported shrimp saturating the market that is making it difficult for them to stay in business."

Original cosponsors of the Save Our Shrimpers Act include Representatives 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 Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12).

"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."

"We have watched for years as foreign countries have increasingly tried to run our shrimpers out of business," said Congressman Weber. "Our shrimpers on the Gulf Coast are struggling to sell their catch, which has severely impacted their livelihoods. We must ensure that federal funds do not benefit foreign countries that are destroying our shrimpers in the United States. I will continue to fight with my colleagues to save our local shrimpers."

"The South Carolina shrimp industry is vital to our state's economy - and the Palmetto State wouldn't be the same without South Carolina shrimp," said Congressman Fry. "I am proud to join Congressman Nehls in introducing the Save Our Shrimpers Act to protect the American shrimping industry as a whole and support shrimpers in South Carolina's Seventh. This legislation will ensure their success for years to come."

"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."

"Louisiana's hardworking shrimpers are facing higher costs and smaller margins, while combating the invasion of foreign shrimp into American markets," said Congresswoman Letlow. "I will do everything I can to support our domestic shrimping industry so that we may sustain our communities, stimulate our economy, and protect the livelihoods of so many."

"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!"

This legislation is supported by the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), Texas Shrimp Association, South Carolina Shrimper's Association (SCSA), GA Commercial Fisherman's Association (GACFA), North Carolina Fisheries Association, Inc. (NCFA), US Shrimp Coalition (USSC), Louisiana Shrimp Association (LSA), the Alabama Commercial Fishermen's Association, LLC, and the Port of Palacios, Texas.

"Worldwide, there is an overwhelming excess supply of shrimp due to foreign development projects funded in part by U.S. taxpayers. The price crash resulting from that market manipulation has US. boats sitting idle and the shrimp industry on the verge of collapse," said John Williams, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. "The U.S. shrimp industry applauds Representative Nehls for leading a bipartisan effort to prevent federal funds from distorting shrimp markets and harming our commercial fishermen and their communities that depend on this fishery."

"Representative Nehls' legislation is a massive first step in protecting our struggling industry," said Chris Londrie, President of the Texas Shrimp Association. "For years, federal funds that were available to international financial institutions, such as The World Bank, have been used to finance foreign shrimp farms. As a result, imported, farm raised shrimp accounts for well over 90% of all shrimp in the United States; a fact that a majority of Americans are unaware of and, in my experience, rather shocked to learn. We strongly support this legislation and humbly ask Congress to pass this bill as soon as possible."

"American shrimpers from coast to coast face a significant disadvantage due to subsidized and potentially unregulated practices in some foreign countries," said Bryan Jones, South Carolina State Director of the USSC. "By taking these crucial steps, we can help level the playing field and ensure that our domestic industry can compete fairly in the U.S. seafood market. Preserving a robust domestic shrimping fleet is not simply about jobs; it's essential to our nation's food security and the continued prosperity of our coastal communities."

"The USSC stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Congressman Nehls and his co-sponsors in championing this crucial legislation," said Paige Morrison, Georgia State Director of the USSC. "We cannot continue to see U.S. taxpayer dollars inadvertently support foreign operations that directly compete with American shrimpers who adhere to stricter regulations and environmental standards."

"The North Carolina Fisheries Association, (NCFA), endorses the 'Save Our Shrimpers Act,'" said Glenn Skinner, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, Inc. "The bill is designed to address one of the major sources of the global excess capacity and excess production of farm raised shrimp. The imports of those shrimp have now overwhelmed the U.S. market driving prices for shrimp down to levels that for many shrimpers cannot cover the cost of a shrimp fishing trip, and as a result the U.S. shrimp industry is facing collapse. The bill would prohibit U.S. taxpayer funds from being used by international financial institutions to finance any activity relating to shrimp farming, the processing of shrimp, or shrimp exports in a foreign country."

"American shrimp harvesters have been suffering for over 20 years due to unfair trade policies and actions of the World Bank," said Acy Cooper, the President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association. "We thank Representative Nehls and everyone involved for standing up for our American shrimp Industry."

"This bill will help us in our struggles with the foreign shrimp that are flooding our domestic shrimp market in the U.S. and help to put more economical restraints on those doing so," said Michael Williams, President of the Alabama Commercial Fishermen's Association, LLC.

"First and foremost, we want to sincerely thank Congressman Nehls for his leadership on this bill and the other congressional leaders who are supporting it," said Victor Martinez, Jr., Port Director of the Port of Palacios, Texas. "This is a major positive step forward in trying to curb the over influx of imported shrimp into the United States. Shrimpers are typically, by nature, resilient, patient and have a steadfast work ethic. But these past few years have been extremely tough. Additionally, this upcoming season is not looking favorable as well. However, we're hopeful that with this Save the Shrimpers Act and other measures our leaders are taking to protect our U.S. Shrimpers they will persevere, and Americans will continue to enjoy some of the safest, best, and tastiest domestic shrimp our U.S. Shrimpers provide for many more years to come."

###

For more information contact: Emily Matthews, [email protected] (Rep. Troy Nehls)
and Gabrielle Lipsky, [email protected] (Rep. Nancy Mace)

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.