On the recordMay 4, 2022
the Senator from Rhode Island and I have offered a motion related to our bipartisan BLUE GLOBE Act. This is legislation that focuses on our oceans. They are a key source of food for us. They produce most of the oxygen we need to breathe. They help us maintain our global climate. But we largely ignore them, unfortunately. We haven't done nearly enough to address overfishing, pollution, and acidification. According to NOAA, we have actually mapped more of the moon than we have our oceans. So BLUE GLOBE will help change that by improving data collection, accelerating ocean-focused innovation, and taking other important steps. It will help strengthen our economy, protect against China's illegal fishing, and bolster our national security along the coasts. It received unanimous consent support from the Commerce Committee. It is a perfect fit for a bill on competitiveness, so I would urge the Senate to support this motion to instruct conferees to include BLUE GLOBE in the final bill. Vote on Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the motion to instruct. The motion was agreed to.
