Political Quotes

“This amendment would increase the United States Geological Survey's surveys, investigations, and research account by $4,798,500 to accommodate for impacts caused by recent volcanic eruptions. The offset for this modest increase comes from the Interior Secretary's administrative account. On May 8, 2018, in my district, the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island, Hawaii, began erupting. The volcanic activity and destruction has yet to stop or wane. It has destroyed over 700 homes, forcing thousands of people to evacuate, to seek emergency aid and shelter, and to somehow find a new future for their lives. There has never been a more critical time where the United States Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program on Hawaii island has been sorely needed; however, their office was severely damaged by the seismic activity from the ongoing volcanic eruptions. Hawaii island itself has seen hundreds of these types of seismic eruptions over the last month and a half. As a result, the staff currently occupy empty spaces at University of Hawaii at Hilo, like classrooms, or they telework, undermining their quality of work, with the staff potentially putting their lives at risk. The United States Geological Survey provides essential information for the health, safety, and well-being of people all across the State of Hawaii, and in neighboring locations such as the Marshall Islands, which has been blanketed by volcanic smog following the Kilauea eruption.…”