To prohibit Chinese seafood products in congressional dining facilities, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Chris Smith

Prohibits Chinese-origin seafood from being served, sold, or displayed in congressional dining facilities and related procurement, with compliance measures.

Introduced in House

Bill overview

HR 10176, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to prohibit the display or sale of Chinese seafood products in congressional dining facilities and related settings, along with other related provisions. The measure has a co-sponsor in Rep. Chris Smith and was referred to the House Committee on House Administration on its introduction date of August 27, 2026.

Purpose and intent

Explicit aim: Remove or prohibit Chinese-origin seafood from being served, displayed, or sold in congressional dining facilities (e.g., cafeterias, dining halls) and potentially other related congressional procurement or display contexts.

Broad aim implied by title: Promote or safeguard U.S. seafood supply security, align congressional procurement with certain sourcing standards, and respond to concerns about import origins of seafood products.

Key provisions and changes (as implied by title and filing)

Prohibition on Chinese seafood products in congressional dining facilities:

Bars or restricts the sale, serving, or display of seafood products identified as originating from China within congressional dining spaces and possibly other official dining environments.

Sourcing or procurement implications:

May require staff or contractors managing congressional dining facilities to verify origin of seafood products and remove or avoid Chinese-origin items.

Compliance and enforcement:

Likely establishes enforcement mechanisms within the congressional dining system, including compliance reporting, audits, or penalties for noncompliance. (Specific enforcement details would be defined in the bill text.)

Related “other purposes”:

Could authorize related measures such as updating procurement guidelines, reporting to Congress, or extending similar prohibitions to related facilities or programs within the legislative branch.

Who is affected

Primary: Staff and contractors operating congressional dining facilities (cafeterias, kitchens, catering services) and any procurement officers responsible for purchasing seafood.

Broader impact: Vendors and suppliers of seafood to congressional facilities, who would need to certify or ensure Chinese-origin products are not supplied.

Indirect: Members and staff who use dining facilities, who would experience changes in menu options and sourcing transparency.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral:

Introduced in the House on August 27, 2026.
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration for review and consideration.

Next steps in process:

Committee hearings, potential amendments, and a committee vote.
If advanced, the bill would proceed to floor consideration and then to the Senate (potentially with its own process) for passage.

Potential implications and considerations

Operational impact: Dining services would need to adjust procurement practices, supplier vetting, and inventory to comply with the prohibition.

Supply chain considerations: Possible disruption or reshaping of seafood procurement for congressional facilities if alternatives are limited or price-sensitive.

Policy signaling: The bill signals a stance on sourcing origins and national security or economic considerations related to seafood imports.

Note: This summary is based on the bill’s title, sponsor information, and the stated action history. For a detailed understanding of all provisions, definitions, exemptions, penalties, and exact enforcement mechanisms, the full text of HR 10176 would need to be reviewed once available.