Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding go. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my colleague from California, which would strike this misguided provision to prohibit funding of the National Ocean Policy, which permits better coordination among Federal agencies responsible for coastal planning. This provision in particular would undermine the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's participation in planning; would hurt States, communities, and businesses; and would keep States like Rhode Island from managing resources in a way that best fits their needs and priorities. The administration has made it clear that the National Ocean Policy does not create new regulations, supercede current regulations, or modify any agency's established mission, jurisdiction, or authority. Rather, it helps coordinate the implementation of existing regulations by Federal agencies to establish a more efficient and effective decisionmaking process. In the Northeast, our Regional Ocean Council has allowed our States to pool resources and businesses to have a voice in decisionmaking and has coordinated with Federal partners to ensure all stakeholders have a voice in the process, and it was the first in the Nation to release a draft regional ocean plan. It is astounding to me that, since 2012, more than 15 riders undermining ocean planning have been introduced to House bills, including riders on several previous appropriations bills.…”