{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1862", "Ezell\u2019s Cormorant Relief Act Clears\u00a0House Natural Resources Committee", "2025-07-15", "2025", "2025-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Mike Ezell", "E000235", "ezell.house.gov", "ezell", "https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced today that his bill to protect Mississippi\u2019s aquaculture and fishing industries from overpopulation of double-crested cormorants has successfully passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.\n\nThe Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 streamlines the management of cormorant populations and restores much-needed flexibility to state and tribal wildlife agencies. These large, fish-eating birds have posed an increasing threat to fish farms and native species across the Gulf Coast, especially in Mississippi\u2019s Fourth District.\n\nThe Senate companion legislation is led by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR).\n\n\"This is a big win for our catfish farmers, sportsmen, and conservationists,\" Ezell said. \"The overpopulation of cormorants has had a serious impact on our aquaculture industry, and this bill gives local experts the tools they need to protect our fisheries and manage bird populations responsibly. It\u2019s about common sense \u2014 putting decision-making back in the hands of the people who are closest to the issue and understand it best.\"\n\n\"Congressman Ezell\u2019s Cormorant Relief Act puts American farmers back in the driver\u2019s seat and gives them the tools they need to manage their aquaculture facilities,\" House Natural Resources Chairman Westerman said. \"It is commonsense policy that will ensure responsible management of cormorant populations. I\u2019d like to thank him for his work on this legislation and look forward to working with him as the bill continues to advance.\"\n\n\u201cReinstating the federal double-crested cormorant depredation order is critical for Mississippi\u2019s catfish farmers, who lose millions annually to these predatory birds. This measure will empower producers to protect their livelihoods, ensuring a thriving aquaculture industry that supports our state\u2019s economy.\u201d Mike McCormick, President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, said.\n\n\u201cThe population and range of cormorants have steadily grown in recent decades, leading to increased challenges for state and tribal fish hatcheries, the private aquaculture industry, and fisheries managers,\u201d Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation said. \u201cWe applaud Representative Ezell, along with Reps Thompson, Guest and Kelly, for their leadership in addressing the growing cormorant depredation problem without any deleterious effects on cormorant populations.\u201d\n\nFor years, Mississippi producers have voiced concerns about the federal red tape involved in controlling cormorants, whose feeding habits can decimate fish stocks. The Cormorant Relief Act would empower state wildlife agencies to take action without waiting for burdensome federal approvals, while ensuring oversight remains in place to protect migratory bird populations.\n\nThe bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1862"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2619229964911938, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}