Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
Introduced Nov 12, 2025 by Rep. Nicholas J. Begich
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Sep 15, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sep 14, 2026The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 14, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5564-5565)
- Sep 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- Sep 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6021.
- Sep 14, 2026Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Sep 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5566)
- Aug 27, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 675.
- Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.
- Jul 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Jul 22, 2026Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Feb 4, 2026Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Jan 28, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Nov 12, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Nov 12, 2025Introduced in House