House of Representatives

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule on H.R. 34, which is now the vehicle for the 21st Century Cures Act.

Although I understand the detailed rules of our Chamber, I am deeply disappointed that the underlying bill, the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act, was completely stripped out and replaced with unrelated language. The Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act is bipartisan. It was passed by a voice vote on January 7 of 2015, and a similar version has passed the Senate. We have worked out our differences, and this legislation is ready to be signed into law, and it is vital for our West Coast communities.

My constituents on the Oregon coast know that it is a matter of when, not if, our community will face a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake and tsunami. Most of the city of Seaside, including all of its public schools, is located in the tsunami inundation zone. It is some of my youngest constituents--the students of Seaside--who have been the most vocal about keeping their communities safe. Recently, I met with the students there at the high school. They have spoken all over the State about the dangers they face from tsunami. Their presentation was very strong. They made a case for moving their schools out of the tsunami zone.

It helped the community pass a bond measure earlier this month to move the schools. That is a positive step for Seaside, but there is so much more to be done.

I have an app on my phone. Almost every day, there is an earthquake off the coast of Alaska or Hawaii. Two days ago there were two earthquakes off the coast of Oregon. When there is a near-shore tsunami, the warning time is about 15 minutes. That is all.

The Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act would help communities up and down the entire coast by strengthening the warning system, providing more assistance to local communities like Seaside to prepare for that disaster, coordinating government agencies to make sure they're sharing information and working together, and supporting community outreach and education programs.

This is not just about Oregonians. Millions of people in Alaska, Hawaii, Washington State, California also face significant risk. We are overdue for the really big one.

Now, I understand that the Cures Act may save lives, but I am very disappointed that the provisions of the tsunami bill, which is also lifesaving policy, was not retained in the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule so we can immediately consider swift passage of the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act. Our West Coast communities are counting on us to keep them safe.

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