Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to raise concerns about the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, known as VIDA, which is included in the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Act of 2018. I voted in favor of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Act of 2018, along with 93 of my colleagues, because I strongly support the Coast Guard and its mission. The women and men of the Coast Guard provide invaluable services to our Nation, which include homeland security, maritime safety, drug interdiction, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection. However, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act title in the Coast Guard authorization bill is a rider that I have long opposed. VIDA imposes a uniform national standard and preempts California law in a way that weakens California's ballast water management program, which protects coastal waters from pollution and invasive species. California has one of the most stringent ballast water discharge and management standards in the Nation. It is home to three of the country's largest and busiest ports with extremely high-volume traffic. California's ports are often the first stop for vessels from Asia before they travel up the West Coast. Therefore, California is often the first line of defense against the spread of invasive species and other types of pollution. That is why it has led the Nation in one of the most advanced, stringent ballast water and invasive species management programs--and with much success.…”