NEW BEDFORD — Three Massachusetts congressmen have written to the House Appropriations Committee chairman asking that the Northeast fishing industry be included if any more disaster relief funding is considered in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca M. Blank issued the disaster declaration for the fishery in September because of declining fish stocks, which established the mechanism for distributing aid — if any is forthcoming.
"With disaster declarations now having been issued in several states, it is imperative for Congress to promptly move forward with appropriating sufficient funding for our fishermen," wrote Reps. Barney Frank, John F. Tierney and William Keating, all Democrats.
Their letter was addressed to Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Ky., and Rep. Norman Dicks, D-Wash.
The three said that if a disaster aid supplemental bill isn't in the cards, that the committee should approve funding through the Commerce Department in the next fiscal year.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard Times