Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment, which would allow for the implementation of the National Ocean Policy. Plain and simple, coordinated ocean planning makes common sense and is a good economic policy for our coastal communities. It allows for a comprehensive mapping of existing ocean uses that helps to identify and resolve conflicts between stakeholders before they play out in specific permitting processes. In Virginia, this process has been crucial to preserving public access to the ocean, to sustain economic growth, to address marine debris, to create migration corridors for marine mammals, and to support promising new ocean industries, such as wind power and marine aquaculture. In fact, I am proud to note that Virginia was recently selected by BOEM to be the first State in the Nation to receive a wind energy research lease in Federal waters. This rider would eliminate language that would undermine regional collaborative efforts to manage existing and future ocean policy challenges. Let's not roll back the valuable work and resources that many States, industries, and communities have already devoted to implementing this policy. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”