Rob Bishop: “This is, once again, where we have the same situation that the issue and the problem of which the gentleman from Florida…”

“This is, once again, where we have the same situation that the issue and the problem of which the gentleman from Florida speaks is real and it is there. The concept is it is already also being addressed. These are the kinds of programs that already exist to do exactly what the gentleman wishes to do. Nonetheless, this amendment would authorize a duplicative program that would cost $114 million if it were actually implemented. But just because we pass the amendment doesn't mean the money is there to implement the program. So much of the opposition and so many of the complaints that we have been hearing are that there is not enough money appropriated to do it. The $114 million doesn't exist until there is an appropriation to actually go about that concept. Here is where the problem lies for all of these amendments that we are going to be hearing for this entire process. The bill is the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act, passed in 1998, which already provides the legal authority and the funding level--not necessarily the appropriation but the legal, authorized funding level--for algae bloom prevention and control.…”