{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-murkowski-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-american-fisheries", "King, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Strengthen American Fisheries", "2026-03-27", "2026", "2026-03", "Independent", "Senate", "ME", "Angus S. King, Jr.", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", "angusking", "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced legislation to strengthen the American seafood industry by treating it the same as the nation\u2019s farmlands. The American Seafood Competitiveness Act would expand access to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan and grant programs for commercial fishermen, seafood processors, and mariculture-related businesses. The legislation would also expand Farm Credit eligibility to businesses providing services to fisherman and fish processors.\n\n\u201cWhether your crops have seeds or scales, America\u2019s food producers are essential to our economy and food supply, so we should seek economic parity for the men and women who work in the seafood industry,\u201d said Senator King. \u201cThe American Seafood Competitiveness Act would help level the playing field and ensure our lobstermen and shellfish growers have access to the resources they need to grow and compete. That way, we can ensure the \u2018Way Life Should Be\u2019 for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Alaska, agriculture isn\u2019t just cattle and livestock in Delta Junction or carrot farms in Palmer\u2014it also includes kelp farms in Douglas, oyster operations on Prince of Wales Island, and gillnetters in Bristol Bay harvesting our world-class salmon,\u201d said Senator Murkowski. \u201cThese uniquely Alaska enterprises have been left out of some of America\u2019s agricultural landscape, yet they play a vital role in our food security across the state. It\u2019s past time our fishing and mariculture industries can access the same financing opportunities as farmers in the heartland.\u201d\n\nMore specifically the American Seafood Competitiveness Act would:\n\nAmend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include commercial fishing and fish processing as eligible agricultural activities under USDA programs.\n\nInclude wild-caught fish and shellfish as eligible agricultural products under USDA\u2019s Local Agricultural Market Program and allow USDA to waive or reduce matching fund requirements, lowering barriers for small and rural operators.\n\nUpdate USDA regulations to ensure seafood processors can access financing to acquire or upgrade processing facilities and address significant operating costs.\n\nExpand eligibility for USDA farm ownership and operating loans to allow fishermen to purchase permits, acquire vessels, make capital improvements, and cover operating and maintenance costs.\n\nBroaden Farm Credit eligibility to businesses that support fishermen and fish processors, providing access to lending from Farm Credit institutions similar to that available to farm-related businesses.\n\nCreate additional financing options for coastal businesses and rural communities that rely on the seafood economy, in the same manner as those supported by traditional agriculture.\n\nThe American Seafood Competitiveness Act would recognize the seafood industry\u2019s role as \u201cfarmers of the sea\u201d by ensuring they have the same opportunities as traditional farmers.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "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://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-murkowski-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-american-fisheries"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4862420503050089, "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"}