House passes the MAWS Act of 2026
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
MAR 17, 2026 · 3:36 PM ET
Most Democrats and most Republicans voted yes. 66 members of the two parties voted no. Cleared the 258 needed by 62 votes.
What the House was voting on
The House voted on whether to pass H.R. 4294, as amended, under the fast-track procedure. The bill would require NOAA to create a pilot program to support purchases of blue catfish caught in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The House passed it by 62 votes more than the 258 needed.
Pass H.R. 4294, as amended, under the two-thirds fast-track procedure and send it to the Senate.
Do not pass H.R. 4294 under the fast-track procedure.
Creates a NOAA pilot to support purchases of Chesapeake Bay blue catfish by feed manufacturers and processors.
Passed the House 320–66 on March 17, 2026. Now waiting in the Senate, 459 days after it was introduced.
- SUSPENSION
- Suspending the rules lets the House pass a bill fast, with no amendments and 40 minutes of debate, if two-thirds agree.
258 is two-thirds of the 386 members voting yes or no. Members voting “present” or absent don’t count.
- SUSPENSION
- Suspending the rules lets the House pass a bill fast, with no amendments and 40 minutes of debate, if two-thirds agree.
Most of both parties voted yesBoth parties mostly voted yes.
Every vote on H.R. 4294, in both chambersEvery vote on H.R. 4294
- FEB 23Reported by Natural ResourcesREPORTED
- MAR 17#88THIS VOTESuspend the rules and passPASSED320–6662 votes to spare over the 258 needed.
Coverage of this vote and its bill3 stories from 3 outlets
Lean describes the outlets, not the vote.
