Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5103 would speed up the timelines for providing funding to communities affected by fishery disasters. Coastal communities rely on fisheries for jobs and economic development. However, a fishery's health often depends on environmental conditions. Hurricanes, oil spills, and other disasters can severely impact fisheries and harm coastal economies. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Congress can appropriate funds for disaster assistance, which the Department of Commerce can then provide in the form of a grant, cooperative agreement, loan, or contract. After the Secretary of Commerce declares a fishery disaster and Congress appropriates disaster funding, the Office of Management and Budget must approve spend plans before any money can be distributed to recipients. These reviews can also be lengthy. Delays in processing mean longer wait times for fishers, Tribes, and coastal communities needing relief. Allowing the Office of Management and Budget and the Secretary of Commerce to review spend plans concurrently, as this bill proposes, will increase efficiency and speed up the allocation of disaster relief funds, ensuring faster support for impacted communities and more efficient recovery efforts. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”