WASHINGTON (Mar. 11, 2025) – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) reintroduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act, which prohibits federal funds from being made available to International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that finance activities related to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp to the United States.
This legislation directs an investigation within the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and requires annual reports to Congress that track whether IFIs’ U.S. Executive Directors are complying with Federal law USC 262(h) and opposing any assistance from international financial institutions that cause injury or harm to U.S. producers.
Congressman Higgins has been a strong advocate for Louisiana’s seafood industry. Most recently, in February, he sent a letter to President Trump requesting tariffs and increased trade enforcement for seafood imports from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
“America’s shrimping industry is grappling with some of the lowest prices in recent history due to an influx of imported products,” said Congressman Higgins. “By cutting federal funding to international institutions that contribute to foreign shrimp farming, we are giving our domestic shrimpers a level playing field. We must ensure that taxpayer’s hard-earned treasure goes to the American people, not subsidizing foreign shrimpers.”
“American shrimpers, including those in my district, are struggling to stay afloat due to an excess of foreign shrimp flooding our markets,” said Congressman Nehls. “Worse, American tax dollars are being used to finance foreign shrimp farms, which are driving our own shrimpers out of business. My bill, the Save Our Shrimpers Act, would halt funding to international institutions that bankroll foreign shrimp operations. We must do everything we can to protect our nation’s shrimping industry and put American shrimpers first.”
Read the legislation here.
