Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I have an amendment which I wish to discuss.

About a year ago, we as a Senate, unanimously by a voice vote, ratified four treaties that helped protect American fisheries from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing around the world. It is called pirate fishing. This was an effort by the Oceans Caucus. It was led by me and then-Senator Begich on our side and Senator Murkowski and Senator Wicker on the other side of the aisle. It was hotlined on both sides and cleared.

It is a useful treaty to be in. It is important for our American fishing industry to make sure that they are not being punished or harmed by foreign competitors who are not fishing sustainably, fishing illegally, or violating the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are fishing. Because of their misbehavior, they are able to bring catch to market less expensively than fishermen who play by the rules.

I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside so I may call up my amendment No. 1387.

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Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I understand there are issues on the floor that need to be resolved and there are objections pending, but I did wish to speak to this amendment. It is an amendment I hope can either get a vote or, because of its noncontroversial, bipartisan status, perhaps can be added at a time when there is a managers' amendment or some means of dealing with noncontroversial additions to this legislation.

So the objection having been made to my request, I will yield the floor.

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