H.R. 9436 · 119th Congress · Animals
Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026
Extends deadline for whale-protection fishing gear regulations from 2028 to 2035. AI-read
What it does
This bill extends the deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations that protect the endangered Atlantic large whale from certain lobster and crab fishing gear. Under current law, the new regulations must include requirements for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries to utilize existing and innovative fishing gear technologies as appropriate to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled in their gear.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Aug 27, 2026 (Reported to House). CRS summarizes bills impartially; it does not take positions.
Roll call votes
| Date | Question | Party split (yea) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 House roll 650 |
On Motion to RecommitTo amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective | D 202–2 · R 0–209 · I 0–1 |
Failed 202–212 |
| Sep 1, 2026 House roll 651 |
On PassageTo amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective | D 10–193 · R 209–2 · I 0–1 |
Passed 219–196 |
What members said about it
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U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King wrote to Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, respectively, urging them to advance the Northeast Lobstermen Protection…
“This pause is necessary to protect Maine’s lobster fishery, which is essential to the state’s economy and coastal communities. According to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the lobster industry supports an estimated $2 billion in annual economic activity and more than 17,500 jobs.”
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U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King wrote to Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, respectively, urging them to advance the Northeast Lobstermen Protection…
“This pause is necessary to protect Maine’s lobster fishery, which is essential to the state’s economy and coastal communities. According to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the lobster industry supports an estimated $2 billion in annual economic activity and more than 17,500 jobs.”
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House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) took to the House Floor this week to oppose H.R. 9436, which extends a special industry waiver that will lead to more critically endangered North Atlantic right…
“This bill sells our fishing communities a false promise. We may hear that kicking the can down the road saves the Maine lobster fleet. In reality, this bill would lock in a broken status quo that guarantees disaster for both our historic coastal industry and the critically endangered right whale.”
Latest action
Sep 14, 2026 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.