Niki Tsongas: “Nearly 3 years ago, Superstorm Sandy caught millions of coastal residents by surprise and cost billions of dollars in…”

“Nearly 3 years ago, Superstorm Sandy caught millions of coastal residents by surprise and cost billions of dollars in economic damage. Unfortunately, the weather is not all that has become more extreme over the past several years. I am disappointed that this misguided and misinformed language to block implementation of the National Ocean Policy keeps coming back, just like the recurrent coastal flooding being caused by sea level rise, and my amendment would strike that language. {time} 1530 It shows a lack of respect for science and a lack of appreciation for the magnitude and complexity of the governance challenges we face. It seems some Members of Congress do not want to see government succeed even when government's failure to respond to a disaster, to predict a drought, or to properly manage a fishery can devastate the communities they represent. When you disavow words like ``precaution,'' ``preparedness,'' and ``planning,'' you stop being conservative and start being reckless. Conservatives always say they want to run government like a business. Well, would you invest in a business with different departments that don't talk to each other? Would you invest in a business that is not responsive to its shareholders? Would you invest in a business with no business plan? That is essentially what the National Ocean Policy is, a business plan for the oceans that seeks to maximize the benefits for shareholders, all the American people.…”