On the recordNovember 4, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this rule provides for ample and open debate, allowing our colleagues from across the aisle the opportunity to offer their legislative proposals to this bill. This bill provides a single uniform, nationwide standard for how commercial vessels discharge ballast water, a standard that protects American jobs by encouraging the efficient flow of goods in and out of our ports while also protecting our unique water bodies. More importantly, the bill provides the service men and women of the United States Coast Guard the funding they need to fulfill their critical missions: keeping our borders secure, preventing drugs from infiltrating our communities, and safeguarding our men and women. Service men and women in the Coast Guard deserve our gratitude and support. This includes Coast Guard veterans, such as Garrett Bess, a member of my own staff here in Washington, D.C. Partisanship has no place in providing the resources necessary for those brave men and women in uniform to do what they do best, keep us safe. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of the rule and passage of the underlying bill. The material previously referred to by Ms. Slaughter is as follows: an amendment to h. res. 455 offered by ms. slaughter of new york At the end of the resolution, add the following new sections: Sec. 6.…





