Contact Congress about H.R. 6338: Stop Illegal Fishing Act

Foreign fishing operators and ships could face U.S. penalties for illegal fishing. The bill would freeze some U.S.-linked assets, block visas, and require reports to Congress for five years.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Stop Illegal Fishing Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Latest action on H.R. 6338: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects foreign fishing operators, senior crew, company leaders, and ships tied to illegal fishing. It also affects U.S. agencies that would investigate cases, freeze property, handle visa bans, and report to Congress. Legal fishing businesses and coastal communities could feel indirect effects if the sanctions change fishing behavior or market conditions.

Why this matters: Illegal fishing can harm fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and people who depend on legal fishing for income. This bill would add U.S. financial and travel penalties to the fight against that problem. It could also affect foreign relations if the U.S. sanctions people or ships from countries with large fishing fleets.

Key provisions in H.R. 6338

• The President must sanction certain foreign people tied to illegal fishing. This includes people who knowingly own, captain, or serve as senior crew on those ships, and leaders of companies mainly doing that fishing.
• The President must sanction foreign ships that engage in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.
• The bill creates a separate sanctions program for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
• The U.S. may freeze property tied to covered foreign people or ships. This applies to property in the United States, property entering the United States, or property controlled by a U.S. person under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
• Covered foreign individuals could not enter the United States. They also could not get U.S. visas or entry papers, and any valid ones they already have must be canceled.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 6338

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 6338

What is H.R. 6338?

Foreign fishing operators and ships could face U.S. penalties for illegal fishing. The bill would freeze some U.S.-linked assets, block visas, and require reports to Congress for five years.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 6338?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 6338?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 6338 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.