What does Preamble of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This bill aims to prohibit the Federal Government from procuring foreign seafood for covered food programs. The bill's stated purpose is to prohibit procurement of foreign seafood and includes 'other purposes'.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Buy American Seafood Act.

What does PROHIBITION ON PROCUREMENT OF FOREIGN SEAFOOD. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This section prohibits federal agencies from procuring seafood for covered food programs unless specific conditions are met. Seafood can be procured if it is harvested in the United States by a United States-flagged fishing vessel. Alternatively, seafood can be procured if it is produced or processed in the United States through aquaculture or domestic seafood processing.

What does LIMITED WAIVER AUTHORITY. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This section establishes limited waiver authority regarding the prohibition described in section 2. The head of an agency may waive the prohibition if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the quantity of United States-produced seafood is insufficient to meet the needs of a covered food program. A waiver may also be granted if United States-produced seafood does not meet applicable food safety or quality standards. Within 30 days of granting a waiver, it must be published in the Federal Register and reported to Congress. The publication and report must include the relevant covered food program, the seafood covered, the waiver's duration, and the Secretary of Agriculture's determination.

What does CHILD NUTRITION AMENDMENTS. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This section amends Section 12(n) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It defines several terms related to seafood and domestic commodities, including 'aquaculture,' 'domestic commodity or product,' 'domestic seafood processing,' 'exclusive economic zone,' 'seafood,' 'United States-flagged fishing vessel,' and 'United States-produced'. The definition of 'domestic commodity or product' now includes seafood harvested in the U.S. by a U.S.-flagged vessel, or produced and processed in the U.S. through aquaculture or domestic seafood processing. The Secretary is granted the authority to waive requirements related to domestic seafood if the quantity is insufficient or does not meet food safety/quality standards. Any waiver granted must be published in the Federal Register and reported to Congress within 30 days, including details about the program, seafood, duration, and the Secretary's determination.

What does IMPLEMENTATION. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This section outlines the implementation process for the Act. The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretaries of Commerce and Defense, is responsible for implementation. Regulations to carry out the Act must be promulgated within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The regulations will be developed under section 553 of title 5, United States Code. The Secretary of Agriculture may issue guidance to agencies to help them carry out the Act, consistent with the regulations.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Aquaculture” is defined as the farming of aquatic organisms in controlled environments for human consumption. “Agency” has the meaning given in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. “Covered food program” includes programs under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, Department of Defense food service programs, FEMA disaster relief programs, and other agency programs using Federal funds for food purchases or distribution. “Domestic seafood processing” refers to processing operations within the United States that transform seafood for human consumption. “Exclusive economic zone” has the meaning defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. “Seafood” encompasses finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, shrimp, crawfish, oysters, catfish, and other aquatic species intended for human consumption. A “United States-flagged fishing vessel” is documented under title 46, United States Code, and eligible to operate in the exclusive economic zone. “United states-produced” means harvested, raised, and processed within the United States, including its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

What does NO ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Buy American Seafood Act do?

This section prohibits the authorization of additional appropriations to carry out the Act.

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Buy American Seafood Act

Last updated: 4/16/2026 · Introduced: 4/16/2026

Author: Julia Letlow (R-LA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill prohibits federal agencies from procuring seafood for covered food programs unless the seafood is harvested in the United States by a U.S.-flagged vessel, or produced and processed in the U.S. through aquaculture or domestic seafood processing.
The Secretary of Agriculture may grant limited waivers to this prohibition if sufficient U.S.-produced seafood is unavailable or does not meet food safety/quality standards, with any waiver requiring publication in the Federal Register and reporting to Congress.
The bill amends the National School Lunch Act to define key terms related to seafood and domestic commodities and clarifies that seafood harvested or produced within the U.S. qualifies as a domestic commodity or product.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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