WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 9436 · 119th Congress

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

Passed HouseAnimals
IntroducedJun 24, 2026
Passed HouseSep 1, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 14, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 219–196. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 9436 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Sep 14, 2026).

16 U.S.C. 1387 Taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations

What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 16 U.S.C. 1387changedby H.R. 9436 Sec. 2

    The bill says: Section 101 of division JJ of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (16 U.S.C. 1387 note) is amended by striking "2028" each place it appears and inserting "2035".

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 1387)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Aug 27, 2026).

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

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  1. Sep 1, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 196 (Roll no. 291). (text: CR H5395) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  2. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-766.Library of Congress
  3. Jun 24, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 22 recorded actions

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Sep 1, 2026 · HousePassed 219–196
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 209 yes, 2 noI 0 yes, 1 noD 10 yes, 193 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Sep 1, 2026 · HouseFailed 202–212
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 209 noI 0 yes, 1 noD 202 yes, 2 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Jared F. Golden D-ME-2