On the recordDecember 19, 2012
may I draw the distinction between a fishery disaster and an earmark? Because there is an undercurrent here from the amendment of the Senator from Oklahoma, who has said on many occasions that he has been the defendant of the taxpayer. Well, so am I. The difference between an earmark is a congressionally designated project that meets the criteria that Senator deems appropriate to help his State. That is not what this is. When he says it has to be certified by the Stafford Act, he is implying that these are uncertified, unneeded, unwarranted, and are earmarks. Once again I will say that these are certified by the Secretary of Commerce. They meet the criteria for compelling economic and human need as required by law. This is not an earmark, it is certified disaster assistance. Let's get rid of this phony-baloney nonsense that somehow or another that would undermine this bill of $150 million that could restore livelihoods for people who are willing to work out there and risk their lives to feed America.
