WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 6021 · 119th Congress

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act

Passed HouseNative Americans
IntroducedNov 12, 2025
Passed HouseSep 14, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 15, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

What it does

Sourced

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

This bill states that nothing in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, or transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing, or art on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. (The MBTA implements four international treaties that the United States entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA prohibits the taking of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization.)

The bill directs the Department of State to work with the Department of the Interior to enter into appropriate bilateral procedures with countries that are parties to the treaties under the MBTA to clarify the treatment of Alaska Native handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the species of migratory birds listed in those treaties. Further, Interior must modify any regulations implementing the MBTA to implement this bill.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Nov 12, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Sep 15, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.Senate
  2. Sep 14, 2026The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Sep 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  4. Sep 14, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5564-5565)House floor actions
  5. Sep 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.Library of Congress
  6. Sep 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6021.House floor actions
  7. Sep 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5566)House floor actions
  8. Sep 14, 2026Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  9. Aug 27, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 675.House floor actions
  10. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.House floor actions
  11. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.Library of Congress
  12. Jul 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
  13. Jul 22, 2026Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries DischargedHouse committee actions
  14. Feb 4, 2026Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  15. Jan 28, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.House committee actions
  16. Nov 12, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  17. Nov 12, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  18. Nov 12, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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