C. W. Bill Young: “this is not some political issue. This is serious business. You are dealing with some of the most fragile marine…”

“this is not some political issue. This is serious business. You are dealing with some of the most fragile marine ecosystems in the world. This moratorium was put on here for a good reason. And I mentioned earlier during general debate, it has evolved into a workable, effective protection for those ecosystems. The ecology of some of those Florida waters is just unbelievable. Now, the authorizing committee has been working on this issue for several months trying to come up with a good answer, a good responsible answer. Now, this is being offered without any hearings by the subcommittee, no hearings by full committees, just as a whim to accomplish something that some special interests want to see accomplished. This is not good government. This is a bad amendment, and we need to be very careful about what we do, not only on this amendment today, but on the Peterson amendment that we will deal with later. The CHAIRMAN. All time for debate pursuant to the unanimous consent request has expired. The question is on the amendments offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes appeared to have it.”