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.

Full bill text →

Voices Recorded

L3 verified 0
L2 verified 0

Why three axes? · 50-second explainer

1 / 10

Now you know how it works.

Your true verified voice

Your Stance

Should this happen?

Approve0Disapprove0Undecided0

Fiscal Judgment

Where do you stand on this government spending?

Sound spending0Wasteful spending0Undecided0

Authority — Multiple can be selected

Which authority should have control over this? Mark all that apply.

Federal level0State or local level0Markets/private0Unconstitutional0

SubjectsAlaska Natives and HawaiiansBirdsHistorical and cultural resources

XML scalars

congress: 119
type: HR
number: 6021
originChamber: House
originChamberCode: H
introducedDate: 2025-11-12
updateDate: 2026-10-31T02:42:05Z
updateDateIncludingText: 2026-10-31T02:42:05Z
title: Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
legislationUrl: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6021

Constitutional authority statement (CDATA)

[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 191 (Wednesday, November 12, 2025)][House]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. BEGICH:H.R. 6021.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following provisions of the Constitution of the UnitedStates:Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Commerce Clause)--Toregulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the severalStates, and with the Indian Tribes.Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 (the Treaty Clause)--Tomake treaties, by and with the advice and consent of theSenate, and to enact legislation implementing the obligationsof the United States under those treaties, including themigratory bird conventions between the United States andother nations.Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (the Necessary and ProperClause)--To make all laws which shall be necessary and properfor carrying into execution the foregoing powers.[Page H4667]

Pipeline

Track

federal_presidential

Stage

Passed Chamber of Origin

Stage rank

Sponsor

Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] · [R-AK] · B001323
Rep-AK current · 1 term · @repnickbegich · 1 district office

Sponsor record (congress_legislators)

Bio (legislators)

bioguide

B001323

status

current

official_full

Nicholas J. Begich III

first

Nicholas

middle

Joseph

last

Begich

suffix

III

nickname

null

birthday

1977-10-21

gender

Current term (1 total)

type

rep

state

district

class

null

party

Republican

caucus

null

start

2025-01-03

end

2027-01-03

end_type

null

how

null

url

https://begich.house.gov

address

153 Cannon House Office Building Washington DC 20515-0200

office

153 Cannon House Office Building

phone

202-225-5765

fax

null

contact_form

null

rss_url

null

Leadership roles (0)

none

Committee memberships (11)

Aviation (house) · house · rank 13
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (house) · house · rank 5
Energy (house) · house · rank 8
Energy and Mineral Resources (house) · house · Vice Chair · rank 13
Environment (house) · house · rank 4
House Committee on Natural Resources (house) · house · rank 22 · site
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (house) · house · rank 20 · site
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (house) · house · rank 25 · site
Investigations and Oversight (house) · house · rank 5
Oversight and Investigations (house) · house · rank 5
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials (house) · house · rank 13

Social media

Twitter: @repnickbegich
Facebook: @RepNickBegich
Instagram: @RepNickBegich

District offices (1)

1016 W Sixth Ave, Suite 406, Anchorage, AK, 99501 · 907-921-6575 · 61.2163912,-149.904841

Other names (0)

none

Sponsor FEC record (fec_live)

Candidate record (candidates) · cycle 2026

candidate_id

H2AK01083

cycle

2026

name

BEGICH, NICHOLAS III

party

REPUBLICAN PARTY

office

House

state

district

incumbent_challenge

Incumbent

candidate_status

active_through

2026

election_year

null

first_file_date

2021-10-22

last_file_date

2025-07-03

last_f2_date

2025-07-03

address

null

Candidate summary (candidate_summaries) · cycle 2026

cycle

2026

total_receipts

$5,470,446.24

total_disbursements

$2,455,618.51

cash_on_hand_end_period

$3,119,157.79

debts_owed_by_committee

$225,763.93

coverage_start_date

2025-01-01

coverage_end_date

2026-07-29

Connected committees (0)

none

Cosponsors (0)

none

Committees (2)

Environment and Public Works Committee [Senate Standing]
2026-09-15T22:10:31ZReferred To
Natural Resources Committee [House Standing]
2026-08-27T14:13:01ZReported By
2025-11-12T17:01:40ZReferred To
↳ Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

Actions — from XML (18)

2026-09-15IntroReferralvia Senate
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
2026-09-14 16:09:54FloorH38800via House floor actions
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
2026-09-14 16:09:37FloorH38310via House floor actions
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-09-14 16:09:34FloorH37300via House floor actions
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5564-5565)
2026-09-14 16:09:34Floor8000via Library of Congress
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2026-09-14 16:03:13FloorH8D000via House floor actions
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6021.
2026-09-14 16:03:12FloorH30000via House floor actions
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5566)
2026-09-14 16:03:01FloorH30300via House floor actions
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2026-08-27CalendarsH12410via House floor actions
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 675.
2026-08-27CommitteeH12200via House floor actions
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.
2026-08-27Committee5000via Library of Congress
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-774.
2026-07-22Committeevia House committee actions
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
2026-07-22Committeevia House committee actions
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
2026-02-04Committeevia House committee actions
Subcommittee Hearings Held
2026-01-28Committeevia House committee actions
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
2025-11-12IntroReferralH11100via House floor actions
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2025-11-12IntroReferralIntro-Hvia Library of Congress
Introduced in House
2025-11-12IntroReferral1000via Library of Congress
Introduced in House

Actions — from bill_actions table (0)

none

Titles

Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textRFSS2026-09-18T05:23:20Z
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
Official Title from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textEHH2026-09-16T06:08:23Z
To clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and for other purposes.
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseEHH2026-09-16T06:08:23Z
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
Official Titles as Amended by HouseEHH2026-09-16T06:08:23Z
To clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and for other purposes.
Display Title2026-08-28T04:38:43Z
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseRHH2026-08-28T04:38:42Z
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedIH2025-11-14T08:38:16Z
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Official Title as IntroducedIH2025-11-14T08:33:24Z
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.

Text versions (from XML)

Referred in Senate2026-09-15T04:00:00Z
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr6021rfs/xml/BILLS-119hr6021rfs.xml
Engrossed in House2026-09-14T04:00:00Z
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr6021eh/xml/BILLS-119hr6021eh.xml
Reported in House2026-08-27T04:00:00Z
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr6021rh/xml/BILLS-119hr6021rh.xml
Introduced in House2025-11-12T05:00:00Z
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr6021ih/xml/BILLS-119hr6021ih.xml

Versions — from bill_versions table (0)

none

Policy area

Native Americans

Summaries

00 · 2025-11-12 · Introduced in House

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.

Related bills

S 5258 (118) Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Latest: 2024-09-25 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Relationship: Cross-Congress related bill (via CRS)
S 255 (119) Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Latest: 2025-01-24 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Relationship: Identical bill (via CRS)

Amendments (0)

none

Laws

none

Committee reports

H. Rept. 119-774

Calendar number

null

CBO cost estimates

none

Latest action

Date

2026-09-15

Text

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Time

null

Dublin Core

format

text/xml

language

rights

Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

contributor

Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

description

This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.

Row fields (debug)

id

279

congress

119

bill_type

bill_number

6021

bill_slug

hr-6021-119

title

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act

short_title

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act

sponsor_bioguide_id

B001323

sponsor_name

Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

sponsor_party

sponsor_state

introduced_date

2025-11-12

latest_action_date

2026-09-15

latest_action_text

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

status

Committee

policy_area

Native Americans

subjects_json

[
  "Alaska Natives and Hawaiians",
  "Birds",
  "Historical and cultural resources"
]

govinfo_billstatus_path

BILLSTATUS-119hr6021

raw_billstatus_xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?> <billStatus> <version>3.0.0</version> <bill> <number>6021</number> <updateDate>2026-10-31T02:42:05Z</updateDate> <updateDateIncludingText>2026-10-31T02:42:05Z</updateDateIncludingText> <originChamber>House</originChamber> <originChamberCode>H</originChamberCode> <type>HR</type> <introducedDate>2025-11-12</int…

summary_lede

topic_primary

tribal

topic_secondary_json

[]

action_family

committee_active

response_available

response_type

null

response_deadline

null

importance_score

null

consequence_score

null

urgency_score

null

overall_score

null

in_canopy

canopy_expires_at

2026-12-14

pipeline_track

federal_presidential

pipeline_stage

passed_origin

pipeline_stage_rank

stable_action_id

hr-6021-119

jurisdiction

federal

lock_status

open

lock_at

null

content_hash

fc35d9d86d1598e7ca7c53c1015690dbac57b0da8c813c4acd40a13689442978

anchored_at

null

anchor_merkle_root

null

source_kind

api_fill

first_seen_at

2026-04-20T08:15:57.988066+00:00

last_seen_at

2026-11-07T12:30:28.847021+00:00

⎔ Anchored0x0000…0000Epoch 2026-Q4