Andy Harris

Congressman Harris Announces NOAA Recreational Fishing Measures for 2026 and 2027 Seasons

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced new recreational fishing management measures issued by NOAA Fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass for the 2026 and 2027 fishing seasons. NOAA finalized the rule on April 29, 2026, with an effective date of April 30, 2026. The agency also implemented a new Recreational Measures Setting process on April 28, 2026, which will guide how recreational fishing limits are set moving forward. For 2026 and 2027, NOAA approved the following measures: Scup will remain at current recreational harvest levels. Summer flounder will continue to be managed through conservation equivalency, allowing Maryland to set state-specific size, season, and possession limits. Black sea bass will also be managed through conservation equivalency, with a 20 percent increase in allowable harvest across participating states. Maryland-specific limits and seasons will be set by state fisheries managers. NOAA is accepting public comment on the new process through May 28, 2026, and on the 2026 and 2027 recreational measures through May 15, 2026. Statement from Congressman Harris: “I’m grateful to Assistant Administrator Piñeiro Soler and his entire team at NOAA Fisheries for, following my office’s engagement, working to quickly remedy the delay in releasing updated recreational measures for the 2026 season. These new measures will provide much-needed economic certainty to the recreational fishing industry in Ocean City and across the Mid-Atlantic region. Make no mistake, I will always fiercely advocate for Maryland’s treasured fishing community.” Statement from Sonny Gwin, President of the Worcester County Watermen’s Association: “We would like to thank Congressman Andy Harris for his quick response to this issue. This will be a great relief economically for the recreational sector and a chance to go fishing when stocks are abundantly high.” The full text of the letter can be viewed here. NOAA’s announcement can be viewed here. For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:AgricultureEconomyEnvironment

Congressman Andy Harris Applauds Decision to Extend A-10 Warthog Through 2030

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) applauded the U.S. Air Force’s decision to preserve the A-10 Thunderbolt II program through 2030, halting more than a decade of efforts to retire the aircraft. Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink said the decision preserves combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production. The A-10 continues to provide critical close air support and direct protection to U.S. troops on the ground. Statement from Congressman Harris: “We are pleased that the A-10 program is now being extended. The Maryland Guard has extensive experience to bring to the table, and we are in contact with the Office of the Air Force Secretary to urge them to bring A-10s back to Maryland so our airmen can help defend the nation.” For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:Defense and Foreign Affairs

Congressman Harris Warns NOAA Delay Threatens Eastern Shore Fisheries and Local Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA, sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) raising concerns about a delay in implementing updated recreational fishing measures and the impact on Maryland’s Eastern Shore economy. The proposed measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and submitted more than eight months ago. NOAA waited until just three weeks before the start of the recreational fishing season to notify stakeholders they would not be implemented and is now reverting to outdated measures. Statement from Congressman Harris: “NOAA waited until just weeks before the season to reverse course on these proposed measures, leaving small businesses and watermen on Maryland’s Eastern Shore dealing with the fallout at a critical time. I’ve heard directly from constituents across the Eastern Shore who are concerned about this delay. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will be reviewing NOAA’s handling of this closely as part of the FY27 funding process. NOAA must act immediately to correct this failure and ensure it does not happen again.” Full text of the letter can be viewed here. For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:AgricultureEconomy

Congressman Harris Urges Maryland to Consider TSA Screening Partnership Program Amid BWI Delays

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01) sent a letter to Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson urging the state to apply for TSA’s Screening Partnership Program (SPP) following reports of five-hour long wait times at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows airports to use private security contractors under federal oversight while maintaining all TSA standards. Airports in the program, including San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport, have avoided the severe delays seen at many TSA-run checkpoints, even during funding lapses. As TSA works to rebuild its workforce, SPP offers a proven long-term solution to prevent disruptions at BWI. Statement from Congressman Harris: “Five-hour security lines at BWI are unacceptable for Marylanders and the millions of travelers who rely on this airport. President Trump’s emergency order to fund TSA agents will ease immediate strain, but restoring full staffing and operations will take time. Airports in the Screening Partnership Program are not experiencing the delays seen at BWI. Maryland should apply now to ensure this does not happen again at BWI.” Full text of the letter can be viewed here. For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:Economy

Congressman Harris Raises Concerns Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Cost Overruns on Two-Year Anniversary of Collapse

Position: Congressman Harris expresses concern over cost overruns in the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction project and argues that the responsible company and its insurers, rather than taxpayers, should bear the financial burden of rebuilding.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), released the following statement regarding the two-year anniversary of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and concerns over rebuilding costs. Statement from Congressman Harris: "Two years have passed since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge—a tragedy that took six lives and disrupted a vital transportation corridor in Baltimore. As plans for rebuilding lag behind schedule, the scale of the cost overruns is deeply concerning, particularly given that the initial state estimates have been exceeded 3-fold. It is clear this project requires stronger oversight and fiscal accountability. The company responsible for the collapse and its insurers should bear the cost of these damages, not Marylanders or American taxpayers." For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:EconomyEnvironment

Congressman Harris Applauds $1 Million USDA Grant to Expand Blue Catfish Processing in Maryland

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for awarding $1 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) to BSA Seafood LLC to expand invasive blue catfish processing in Maryland's First District. This investment supports BSA Seafood, LLC of Grasonville, Maryland as it expands its processing capacity by purchasing and installing new equipment at its facility. This will increase the company’s ability to source invasive blue catfish from regional watermen and bring more value-added seafood products to market. The project is expected to remove more than 500,000 pounds of invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay annually, create 20 full-time jobs, and retain 15 existing positions. Statement from Congressman Harris: “I’m grateful to USDA and Secretary Rollins for this significant investment to combat invasive blue catfish in the Eastern Shore. This funding gives BSA Seafood the resources to expand blue catfish processing, open new market opportunities, and create good-paying jobs in my district. It directly supports our watermen and seafood processors and turns a growing challenge in the Chesapeake Bay into long-term economic growth for Maryland.” Statement from Amanda Williams of BSA Seafood: “We’re incredibly grateful to receive this funding and excited about the opportunity to continue growing our operations and supporting Maryland’s seafood industry. This investment will allow us to expand our capabilities and create new opportunities in the region. We're grateful to Congressman Harris for his support throughout this process." For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:AgricultureEconomyEnvironment

Congressman Harris Responds to Governor Moore’s “MeatOut Day” Announcement

Position: Congressman Harris opposes Governor Moore's 'MeatOut Day' proclamation, arguing it harms Maryland's agricultural and seafood industries at a time when farmers and watermen are already struggling with state policies promoting solar development.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) released the following statement in response to Governor Wes Moore proclaiming March 20, 2026, as “MeatOut Day in Maryland,” which encourages Marylanders to reduce meat consumption in favor of plant-based diets. The Moore Administration is encouraging Marylanders to reduce or eliminate meat consumption in favor of plant-based diets as part of a national campaign led by the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), an advocacy group that promotes eliminating meat from people’s diets through annual outreach campaigns. Statement from Congressman Harris: “Maryland farmers and watermen have been under siege from the Moore Administration since his first day in office. The mass-covering of farm fields by subsidized and state-mandated solar panels is threatening livestock and poultry production across the state. And now, in the midst of a historically challenging year for Maryland's oyster industry, instead of extending a helping hand to promote “Maryland's Best,” he openly encourages Marylanders to even further cut down their consumption of meat products. This is yet another demonstration by “Governor IDGAF” that he does not care about the Eastern Shore, or any rural communities that rely on these critical industries. Perhaps the Governor needs a reminder of what industries are represented on the State Seal, unless he plans on changing that too.” For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov Issues:AgricultureEconomyEnvironmentHealth