H.R. 6021 Passed the House Native Americans

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act

To amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] Introduced November 12, 2025 Cosponsors 0 Latest action September 15, 2026

Summary

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
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, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 15, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  2. Sep 14, 2026 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 14, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  4. Sep 14, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5564-5565)
  5. Sep 14, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  6. Sep 14, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6021.
  7. Sep 14, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5566)
  8. Sep 14, 2026 Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  9. Aug 27, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 675.
  10. Aug 27, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.
  11. Jul 22, 2026 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
  12. Jul 22, 2026 Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

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