No GOP Co-sponsors For Boxer's Ocean Protection Bill

[hatrack]

"Responding to reports that the world's oceans are in distress, lawmakers in Congress took the first steps Thursday toward what supporters described as a comprehensive approach toward protecting marine resources and habitat.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., filed legislation that calls for the most significant overhaul of U.S. ocean policy in more than a quarter-century. The bill would create a council whose mission would be to protect the oceans. The measure also would authorize grants to local communities to restore fisheries and coastal areas; require the development of plans to protect and sustain fish populations; and provide funding for state and local governments to reduce marine pollution and increase ocean monitoring.

"Our oceans are one of our greatest natural resources, and right now they are in serious danger," Boxer said. "We must commit ourselves as trustees of our oceans to take action before they are damaged beyond repair." A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., introduced similar legislation in the House. "Now is the time for Congress to act," said Farr, co-chairman of the House Oceans Caucus. "We can't wait. Time is of the essence. The oceans are suffering." The bills include many of the recommendations of two blue ribbon ocean commissions - the congressionally chartered U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission - that issued reports in the past two years. Both reports said urgent action is needed to restore the United States' marine resources before environmental degradation reaches a point of no return.

EDIT

While the House bill has bipartisan support, Boxer said no Senate Republicans have signed on as cosponsors of her legislation and that she has no commitment from GOP lawmakers to give the bill a hearing."

EDIT

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/nw_washington/article/0,1891,TRN_5707_3843178,00.html

[formerrepuke]

1. There must surely already be a White-House sponsored

"Clean Water Initiative"

[unhappycamper]

2. We don't need no stinkin oceans.

The rapture is coming. :puke: