MINKS are Superspreaders Act
Sponsored By: Representative Buchanan
Introduced
Summary
Ban on captive American mink raised for fur. This bill would prohibit transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, purchasing, breeding, or possessing any American mink (Neovison vison) raised in captivity for fur production in interstate or foreign commerce. It would also authorize a federal buy-out program to purchase privately owned mink farms, subject to availability of appropriations.
Show full summary
- Mink farmers: Eligible owners would be offered buy-outs based on their most recent 3-year average number of mink and the infrastructure value of the farm.
- Fur traders and buyers: The bill would bar interstate and foreign commerce in live mink, dead mink, parts, products, and offspring raised for fur.
- Exemptions and federal role: Entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 3(e)(2) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 are exempt, and the Secretary would determine purchase offers under the statutory valuation rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal mink farm buyout program
If enacted, the Secretary would seek to buy privately owned mink farms. Purchases would only happen if Congress provides funding. Offer amounts would consider the farmer's most recent 3-year average mink count and the farm's infrastructure value.
Ban on captive mink trade
If enacted, the bill would ban interstate and foreign trade, breeding, and possession of American mink raised in captivity for fur. The ban would cover live mink, dead mink, parts, products, and offspring. Narrow exceptions would apply for certain entities listed in the Lacey Act Amendments.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Buchanan
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
CT • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/15/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 2/13/2026
Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov