John Sarbanes: “This is an important function that our committee plays. We take it seriously.”

This bill takes important steps to support the ongoing restoration of the Chesapeake Bay by reauthorizing NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office and authorizing the agency's long-running Bay Watershed Education and Training, or B-WET Grant program.

We would like to thank Rep. Sarbanes for introducing this important piece of bipartisan legislation

It's a national environmental treasure. It's a regional economic engine. It's been one of my top priorities since I've come to Congress.

I hope that today's hearing is the first step in continuing that legacy of strong bipartisan support for the Chesapeake Bay in this Congress.