WASHINGTON — January 8, 2014 — The following was released by the office of Congressman William Keating:
Reps. Bill Keating and John Tierney led their colleagues from the Massachusetts House Delegation on yet another request for the inclusion of fisheries disaster assistance in the FY2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which will fund federal programs over the next fiscal year. Their letter was sent to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), which has jurisdiction over fisheries issues in the appropriations process, and copied the Senate and House Budget Chairmen.
Citing the US Department of Commerce’s September 2012 disaster declaration, the letter highlights that it is within Congress’s authority to appropriate funds for fisheries-related disasters. Further, the Senate CJS Appropriations Committee has already recommended $150 million above FY2013 levels to alleviate some of the burdens fishermen are facing, such as the economic downturn, natural causes, and changes in regulations.
“The disaster declaration was issued a year and a half ago, yet the House has still failed to provide the necessary relief to our fishermen for no good reason,” said Rep. Keating. “Fishing is not just a historic industry; it is made up of small businesses that are and have been family-operated for generations. In the past when times were tough for other American industries, we as country were there to assist and we must now do the same for this vital American industry. The Senate has already added the additional disaster funds and it is time for the Republican-led House to do their job.”
“Once again I join with my colleagues to strongly urge for the inclusion of fisheries disaster assistance in the FY2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The letter we sent adds to the verbal request I recently made to the Chairman. It is unacceptable that businesses declared to be in a state of economic disaster have been waiting for nearly 15 months for assistance. I call on House Leadership to follow the lead of Senate appropriators and secure $150 million in disaster assistance to provide relief to fishermen throughout the country,” said Rep. Tierney.
Ensuring that local fishermen and fisheries receive disaster relief has been a priority for both Reps. Keating and Tierney. Just as recently as November, Senators and Representatives from each state that was issued a disaster declaration in 2012 sent another bipartisan letter to Members of House and Senate, and Appropriations leadership requesting fisheries disaster relief assistance.
Both letters are attached to this release.