Political Quotes

“Madam President, I agree these are two great fisheries and economic drivers of our thriving seafood industry. I have a question about Section 307 of H.R. 2838, which I understand is intended to clarify longstanding restrictions that have applied with respect to certain vessels under the American Fisheries Act. I know that Senator Cantwell and the senior Senator from Washington, Mrs. Murray, have worked with Senator Begich and others to develop this language for inclusion in the final version of the Coast Guard bill as received from the other body last week, and I think it is important for us to make clear what it is intended to do. I am told that this provision is designed to maintain and reinforce the separation that exists between these two fisheries, and nothing more. Currently, none of these 20 AFA vessels participate in the Amendment 80 fishery, and under Amendment 97 to the Bering Sea Fishery Management Plan they are expressly prohibited from doing so. Is it true that Section 307 maintains this separation?”