Ed Markey

The Federal Government has been paying for actual physical observation, and as that money gets pulled back, there has to be a substitute, and electronic monitoring just has to be given the priority.

One of my questions asked how NOAA intends to incorporate feedback received during the stock assessment update to improve the transparency and scientific credibility of future efforts to provide more timely stock assessment updates.

There is no question, big changes are happening up there. The cod are voting with their fins and the lobster are voting with their claws, as they start moving, things change, and a lot of it is still not fully understood.

There is no question, hanging in the Massachusetts state legislature, right in the chamber, is the Sacred Cod.

Thank you for all your good work. My mother was a Sullivan and she said Sullivans were very intelligent people.

If they are willing to serve, I do not think personal attacks upon their integrity should be a part of this process.

Honestly, my mother always said the most important question in life is answering the question of compared to what, so yes. This is not as good.

Is it also true that during any rulemaking process that uses Scientific Advisory Board information the EPA would have to respond in writing to any public comment at that time so that the public will have ample opportunity to weigh as well?

This bill will waste taxpayer dollars and will further divert the focus away from the critical need of ensuring that scientific panels advising the EPA delivery qualified, timely and effective scientific advice.

I agree with you that confession is good for the soul.

Just for the record, the endangerment finding was made by the Bush administration, Administrator Johnson, back in 2008.

I remember December 2009 very well. I remember it because then I was the chairman, I was in the Majority.

Taken to an extreme, Mr. Faber, it could result in paralysis?

I think it is absolutely imperative that we do have the best scientists and that we also make sure they are properly vetted as well but that there is a certain confidentiality to their own personal records or else I think we will have a…

Taken to the extreme, could a committee submit an unlimited number of requests to the SAB without regard to the amount of money appropriated by Congress for scientific analysis?

I thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for calling today's hearing to discuss EPA scientific advisory panels and scientific processes.

I think moving forward, we should just exercise great caution so that we do not create a discouragement to the best and brightest participating in a very important public process.

The Majority always has the last word.

Do you disagree that the Scientific Advisory Board should be providing scientific advice to EPA and not advice on non-scientific topics?

My concern is that by implementing an across the board quota for every single advisory panel of the Science Advisory Board, you will end up disproportionately increasing the size committee, adding people who do not understand the science…

The Scientific Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015 would require that the Board provide written responses to public comments it receives on its work.

I am only talking about someone in the plane at 30,000 feet using your Wi-Fi system. Are those consumers on that plane protected against data hacking?

Senator Markey. We have heard recent reports about cybersecurity threats that air travelers face.

What if, for example, airlines using consumer zip code information offered special fares to consumers who live in more affluent zip codes?

Senator Markey. Mr. Smisek, your airline, would you discriminate based upon income status or marital status or trip purpose?