OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Collins, King Sign Letter Requesting Robust Funding for National Sea Grant College Program

Press Release

Date: June 5, 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Higher Education Government Budget and Spending

In the wake of President Trump's proposal to eliminate the National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today signed a letter led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) calling for the program to be funded -- at a minimum -- at its current funding level.

In a letter to Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Senators Collins and King, along with a group of their colleagues, emphasized that the National Sea Grant College Program provides vital supports to local businesses and is a crucial resource in efforts to preserve coastal communities.

The National Sea Grant College Program is a critical source of funding for Maine's Sea Grant College Program at the University of Maine at Orono.

"We urge you to reject the administration's proposed elimination of the National Sea Grant College Program… [and] continue to support at least the current funding level of $63 million," wrote the bipartisan group of senators. "As senators from some of the 33 states with Sea Grant Programs, we see firsthand how this federal investment is leveraged locally to bring immense returns to coastal communities, fishermen, universities, and students. Any cuts to this funding would have a devastating impact and we strongly urge you to reject any proposals to reduce this program."

In addition to Senators Collins, King, and Murphy, the letter was signed by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Cali.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).


Source
arrow_upward