Alan Lowenthal: “I would like to point out that the opposition said that six times the House is on record for striking out the National…”

“I would like to point out that the opposition said that six times the House is on record for striking out the National Ocean Policy. I would like to remind him that all six times that has been put back in by the U.S. Senate. I want to point out that ocean coordination--as he points out, the planning is good, but not now--has been supported by a broad array of stakeholders, including commercial fishing, engineering and consulting, recreation tourism, the renewable energy industries, as well as academics, tribes, faith-based groups, and NGOs. In fact, 117 of those organizations across 20 States wrote a letter to Congress saying: We urge you to reject any provisions that would undermine continued progress on coordinated ocean planning or seek to undermine the implementation of the National Ocean Policy. Madam Chair, I will insert that letter in the Record, as well as a letter from the North Atlantic Ports Association that represents ports and port-related interests from Virginia to Canada. The Ports Association says: We strongly oppose these amendments to any legislation, which undermine our ability to engage in planning for future ocean uses, impede the integration of the marine highway system, and create uncertainty for our businesses. May 16, 2014. Hon. John Boehner, Speaker, House of Representatives, Office of the Speaker, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Office of the Democratic Leader, U.S.…”