H.R. 2838, The "Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011"

Floor Speech

* Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2838, ``the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011,'' and to salute the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard for their service to our nation.

* As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Armed Services Committee, I recognize the critical role the Coast Guard plays in combating piracy, interdicting illegal drugs, preventing acts of terrorism, and assisting our coastal communities when they are afflicted by natural disasters. That is why I am saddened that controversial provisions were attached to this bill.

* I cannot support this legislation because it would strip New York State of its right to protect itself from invasive species introduced through ballast water, putting New Yorkers and New York State waters at risk.

* My home state is blessed to sit on two Great Lakes: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. These waters are of critical importance to the Western New York economy and support recreation jobs, fishing jobs, tourism jobs, shipping jobs--jobs at our ports, harbors and canals. The people of New York are all too aware of the havoc that invasive species like Asian Carp and Zebra Mussels can wreak on the Great Lakes and the threat they pose to our economy. That is why I oppose this legislation and urge my colleagues to preserve New York's right to protect our citizens, protect our waters and protect our jobs.

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