HJR202 Summary

• Alabama legislature urges Congress and Alabama's congressional delegation to pass the bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024 to protect the U.S. and Alabama shrimping industries.

• The proposed federal legislation would prohibit the federal government from funding foreign shrimp farmers through International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including direct payments, loan guarantees, and other financial aid.

• Alabama's shrimping industry faces an existential crisis due to market flooding with inexpensive imported shrimp, forcing American shrimp harvesters to remain in port despite increased fuel costs and record low prices.

• Foreign shrimp producers with World Bank funding maintain government-subsidized prices that prevent fair market competition, while some foreign operations have been found to use forced labor, child labor practices, and produce shrimp contaminated with antibiotic residues.

• House passed bill on April 23, 2024; Senate adopted on April 25, 2024.