Washington, D.C. -Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14) and Troy Nehls (TX-22) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, and U.S. Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, concerning an influx of imported shrimp into American markets.  In their letter, the lawmakers  urge the Administration to take action to put American shrimpers and the American aquaculture industry first.

The bipartisan letter, also signed by Reps. Brian Babin (TX-36), Michael Cloud (TX-27), and Vincente Gonzalez (TX-34), highlights the struggles of U.S. shrimpers—specifically in Gulf Coast states—attributed to foreign dumping of shrimp into domestic markets, severely compromising the ability of domestic shrimpers to stay in business and remain competitive.

“Our shrimpers are facing a multitude of issues that inevitably impacts our region’s economy,” said Rep. Weber. “The coastal Texas shrimping industry is being swamped by foreign imports, and I am proud to join my colleagues in keeping up the pressure on the federal government to negotiate much-needed relief from these external pressures.”

“Our nation’s shrimpers are being put out of business because of foreign shrimp being dumped into domestic markets,” said Rep. Nehls. “I am proud to have led a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Commerce and United States Trade Representative to ensure that they are upholding their duty to protect American shrimpers, many of whom are located along the Gulf Coast. We must protect these crucial parts of our nation’s economy and put our American shrimpers and the aquaculture industry first.”

“The price of Gulf Coast shrimp has severely declined as foreign shrimp continues to be dumped in U.S. markets,” said Rep. Gonzalez. “South Texas shrimpers are unable to compete with these prices and some have been forced to remain docked or sell their trawlers. Our federal government must do more to protect our domestic shrimping industry. I was glad to join this bipartisan effort to request information from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative regarding what actions they have taken and plan to take to ensure our Gulf Coast shrimpers can thrive.”

Read the full letter HERE.