Bill · H.R. 9637· House(119-HR-9637)
Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/9/2026
- Last activity
- 7/9/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Marie Perez
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026. It allows certain Indian Tribes with ancestral ties to the area to intentionally kill California sea lions and Steller sea lions in specific parts of the Columbia River. The bill states that these tribes can carry out the lethal take without limits on the number of animals taken or when they can be taken. Tribes can also designate other persons to carry out the lethal take on their behalf. The bill makes these changes by amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
Yes
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill directly supports and protects the legal rights and authorities of Indian Tribes with ancestral ties to the Columbia River.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill allows the unlimited lethal taking of sea lions, which is viewed negatively by animal welfare and wildlife protection advocates.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Support for Tribal Rights: Section 2(a) adds subsection (k)(4) to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which ensures that nothing in the new subsection limits existing tribal rights or authorities under treaties, executive orders, or other provisions of law. This is positive because it protects the established legal rights of Indian Tribes.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Unlimited Lethal Take of Sea Lions: Section 2(a) adds subsection (k)(2)(A)(i) to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, allowing covered Indian Tribes and their designees to kill covered pinnipeds without any limitation on the number of animals taken or when they can be taken. This could be considered a negative outcome for animal welfare advocates or groups concerned about the large-scale killing of California sea lions and Steller sea lions.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-4
- 7/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House