Political Quotes

“I rise to speak in support of the Baldwin, Smith, Gillibrand, Peters, and Durbin amendment that will help support good-paying union jobs, address the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes, and support billions of dollars in revenue and wages. The U.S. Great Lakes waterborne commerce supports more than 147,000 jobs in eight Great Lakes States. This is made possible by the Coast Guard's Great Lakes icebreakers that ensure ships can safely transit in and out of our ports in the winter. Unfortunately, the number of icebreaking vessels on the Great Lakes has declined, resulting in economic loss, including an estimated 5,400 jobs in the 2018-2019 winter season. Additionally, climate change is resulting in more heavy-ice winters and increasing intensity and frequency of extreme storms that are impacting ice cover thickness and unpredictable ice floes. My amendment would ensure that the Great Lakes has sufficient icebreaking capacity and keep our Nation's economy moving forward. Chair Cantwell supports the Great Lakes icebreaker, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment and ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? The Senator from Mississippi.”