Steven Holt: “I thank my colleague from New Jersey, Chairman Frelinghuysen, for yielding but also for putting together a very…”

“I thank my colleague from New Jersey, Chairman Frelinghuysen, for yielding but also for putting together a very thoughtful amendment. A lot of thought has gone into this amendment. It is compassionate, yes, but it is thoughtful compassion, not dumb compassion. I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas. It's a misguided amendment that would strike funding from NOAA's Regional Ocean Partnership grants program. These grants help scientists understand where and how the shoreline has changed, evaluate the long- term effects of storm damage, and prepare mitigation plans for future severe weather events. The whole point is to rebuild better and smarter. The Flores amendment eliminates such funding for coastal mitigation, which means Congress would lose the opportunity to ensure that the money is spent on recovery from this disaster in a smart way that makes coastal communities stronger and safer. It's nonsensical to impair the ability of NOAA to prepare properly for hurricanes in an emergency appropriations bill designed to respond to a hurricane. I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this misguided amendment, and I thank my good friend from New Jersey for all the thought that has gone into his amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Texas is recognized for his remaining 1 minute.”