Bill Nelson

The current water policies are not working, and especially they are not working for Florida.

We have a problem, and it is in desperate need of a solution.

So you would consider the Endangered Species Act?

The rapid and unprecedented commercial oyster fishery failure on Florida's Gulf Coast was the result of upstream consumption and water management policies . . . which exacerbated the impact of severe drought conditions.

For over two decades, we have fought our neighbors to the north over the freshwater that flows south.

Senator Rubio and I want to thank all of you for coming.

I know you are not a lawyer. Do you have any opinion with regard to the lower court, the district court judge's ruling that gave that flexibility?

The Freshwater Flows provision developed by Senator Nelson would provide this clear direction and ensure that the best available science is used to determine the amount, timing, and duration of the needed flows.

Yesterday Secretary Pritzker determined that a fishery resource disaster did occur.

I am particularly interested in hearing directly from the Corps on its proposed updates and expect that they will take into account the pressing and dire nature of the situation here in Apalachicola.

I remain committed to working to secure the Federal funding that we are going to need now so that it is sent to Franklin County as soon as possible.

We tried to do this. Senator Rubio and I tried to do this by amending the Water Resources Development Act.

Our oystermen, their families, all those who depend on a healthy bay are now depending on us.

The only solution that will change the status quo and solve the crisis facing the Apalachicola River and Bay before it is too late is legislation developed by Senator Nelson

All of us here have a responsibility to ensure that cruise passengers are safe, that ships are well maintained, in top condition, and the crew members onboard these ships are well trained and thoroughly prepared to handle any situation…

Passenger and crew safety must be the industry's top priority.

I want to remind the colleagues that--and NOAA that we have agreed on an expedited process for questions for the record.

We need to make sure that we are taking advantage of the talents that exist throughout our country.

We are going to consider the nomination of Dr. Mark E. Schaefer of California to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

Now, we have enough trouble in Florida with dead zones of polluted water being dumped out of Lake Okeechobee.

Senator, my heart goes out to you, and to Senator Landrieu, and Senator Vitter, for the dead zone is the size of Delaware, off your states.

I have been out on that river 6 years ago when it was, in fact, a dead river.

We are going to bring attention to this, Senator Rubio and me.

Once the judge makes his decision on what the fine is going to be, that money is going to flow pursuant to the law that we pass called the RESTORE Act.

I cannot imagine. I would think that you have the regulatory authority.