WASHINGTON — November 30, 2012 — Stalled by Congress' focus on the contentious "fiscal cliff" debate over budget and taxes, New England fisheries are seeing lengthening odds for getting a hoped-for $100 million in federal disaster aid by the end of this year.
Members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation said they are now aiming to attach the funds to a larger disaster bill that would also contain relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy, as well as Midwestern farms stricken by drought.
"Our coastal communities depend on a healthy catch to keep local families and businesses churning, just like Midwestern communities rely on the yield of their crops," Alec Gerlach, a spokesman for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said in a statement.
However, Massachusetts lawmakers expressed skepticism this week that a disaster relief bill could be enacted until after the new 113th Congress convenes in January.
U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, a Democrat from South Boston, said the debate over expiring tax cuts and $500 billion in spending cuts would have to be resolved first during the current lame-duck session of Congress, which runs through the end of December.
"For us to put a bill ahead of the fiscal-cliff issue — I don't think that would be wise," Lynch said in a telephone interview.
The U.S. Commerce Department issued a disaster declaration for New England fisheries in September, after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced plans to severely reduce catch limits for fish such as cod and flounder in the region. The decision follows recent studies indicating that fish populations remain lower than expected.
The Commerce Department declaration did not automatically release any funding, but Kerry said in September that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had committed to including the $100 million federal aid package in future legislation. That funding is intended to allow fishing businesses and their communities to weather these low-haul years.
Originally, the plan was to attach the fishery aid to legislation reauthorizing the nation's farm programs. But that legislation, which passed this in the Democratic-controlled Senate, has stalled in the Republican-controlled House.
"That's not going anywhere," Lynch said of the farm bill. His comments were echoed by Rep. William Keating, D-Mass., whose district includes the Cape and Islands.
"The congressman has been working to find a way to secure funding to supplement the federal disaster declaration for New England's groundfish industry, but it is still an uphill battle," Lauren Amendolara, a spokeswoman for Keating, said in a statement.
A Hurricane Sandy relief bill was introduced in early November by Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., and is pending in the House Appropriations and House Budget committees. At present, it does not contain language relating to New England fisheries or Midwestern farmers.
Read the full story at the Cape Cod Times