H.R. 6987: To establish programs to reduce the impacts of vessel traffic and underwater noise on marine mammals, and for other purposes.

117th Congress · introduced 2022-03-08 · Animals · Latest: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2022-03-08 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Subcommittee Hearings Held. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To establish programs to reduce the impacts of vessel traffic and underwater noise on marine mammals, and for other purposes.

Plain summary

This bill establishes programs to mitigate the impact of marine traffic on marine ecosystems and wildlife, with a particular emphasis on underwater noise. The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) must maintain and expand activities to collect and assess underwater sounds in high-priority ocean and coastal locations, award grants to port authorities or related entities for implementing measures to mitigate the impact of port operations and marine traffic on marine mammals, and implement a program to reduce collisions between large whales and marine vessels. In addition, the Maritime Administration must award grants to academic or research institutions, U.S. nationals or corporations, or state or tribal governments for developing and implementing technologies that reduce underwater noise from marine vessels. The administration must also report to Congress about nonclassified naval technologies that reduce underwater noise from marine vessels.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To establish programs to reduce the impacts of vessel traffic and underwater noise on marine mammals, and for other purposes.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] · 5 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] reported raising $2.6 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-117hr6987.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr6987 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117