Hearing of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - CJS FY14 Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing

Hearing

Today, Rep. Bill Keating testified about Fiscal Year 2014 funding before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS). There, he urged House appropriators to include emergency assistance for commercial fisheries disasters among their top priorities for the year. The Congressman also urged the panel to prioritize funding for fisheries management, coastal restoration, regional ocean planning, critical scientific research, and competitive grant programs such as the SAFER Grant and Drug Court Discretionary Grant. The text of the Congressman's oral testimony is below.

Rep. William R. Keating (MA-09) Testimony
CJS FY14 Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing
March 21, 2013

Thank you to Chairman Wolf, Ranking Member Fattah, and Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for holding today's hearing on funding for Fiscal Year 2014 and for providing me with the opportunity to testify.

I have the honor of representing Southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, the Islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, the South Shore, and the South Coast. For us, investments in fisheries management; coastal restoration; regional ocean planning; competitive grant programs; and critical scientific research make the difference between a paycheck and a pink slip.

I would like to begin by urging my colleagues on the Committee to work with me and my peers in providing emergency assistance for an economic disaster issued by the Department of Commerce in September of last year for the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) fishery. This was an unprecedented declaration by the Secretary in advance of the 2013 fishing season, which begins in less than six weeks. Members of the Committee have already received many appeals from my colleagues and me on this subject.

The true impact of fisheries disasters on coastal communities is incalculable. Fishermen from coast to coast will face an immediate and irreparable loss of livelihood if we are unable to provide them with financial assistance to survive the next fishing year. I thank you for your previous cooperation, and hope that you will continue to work with me to provide emergency funding. In recent years, our fishermen's businesses have suffered due to inadequate data collection that dictates catch quantities. We can -- and we must -- implement fair and effective fisheries management policies while targeting government abuse and inefficient waste.

To that extent, I encourage the Committee to provide robust funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service. It is imperative that the National Marine Fisheries Service maintain the resources to increase the frequency and accuracy of stock assessments; invest in cooperative research with the industry; and improve recreational fishing data collection programs.

Another top priority for Southeastern Massachusetts is funding for investments in ocean and coastal management and science. Massachusetts has set the national standard for implementation of comprehensive and proactive ocean and coastal management through our participation in the Northeast Regional Ocean Council. And, it is through Regional Ocean Partnership grants that the Commonwealth has been able to coordinate and navigate the complex resource management conflicts that arise from these promising new ocean uses. To this end, I hope to see $10 million provided for the Regional Ocean Partnership competitive grants program.

As many of you are all too familiar, 2012 brought some of the most extreme and unprecedented climate events ever recorded. My district is just one example of the many communities dependent on core habitat restoration and protection programs that directly benefit these economies and are critical to restoring coastal and estuarine habitats. Thus, it is imperative that we provide robust funding for NOAA's coastal restoration programs, including the Community-based Restoration Program; the Estuary Restoration Program; and the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP). To reiterate: there is an undeniable link between restoration and conservation efforts in coastal communities like mine and their economic viability.

Furthermore, before coming to Congress, I served as a District Attorney for twelve years. One of my top concerns has always been for public safety, particularly during times of fiscal uncertainty. To that end, I would like to request that the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program be appropriated to match the authorization that we passed in December.

This funding is critical for fire houses across the country, particularly in New Bedford where understaffed men and women are already serving the needs of multiple communities in the region. Surely we can find alternatives to stripping the backbone of our communities - police officers, fire departments, ambulances -- of the resources that protect residents and bring stability to neighborhoods. This is an issue in which I have been deeply engaged and one I will continue to pursue throughout the appropriations process.

Finally, I would like to note that one of my first acts as Norfolk Country District Attorney was to initiate a drug court discretionary grant in the area I represented. I strongly support funding the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program - which helps to develop treatment drug courts that integrate substance abuse treatment, mandatory drug testing, and transitional services for non-violent, substance abuse suspects.

The American people understand: this is the year of budget constraints. My testimony not only reflects the priorities of the Ninth Congressional District of Massachusetts, but echoes the messages I have heard from across the country. We must ensure that this budget incorporates effective funding decisions that encourage efficiency but do not overlook the critical needs of Americans of all backgrounds.

Once again, I thank Chairman Wolf, Ranking Member Fattah, and Members of the Subcommittee for the opportunity to testify today.

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