The BP oil spill has put both under extreme stress.  The federal government has closed vast expanses of the Gulf to fishing and imposed a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling, which is also having a negative impact on shallow water drilling.  The government has issued no new permits since the leak started with the April 20th explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig.

A federal judge has ruled against the moratorium, but that only promises to open a chapter of litigation bound to last longer than the leak.

All this comes as coastal Louisiana was just beginning to make headway in its recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  The human toll, already enormous, gets worse by the day.  Idle fishermen, struggling with an uncertain future, have no way to support their families.  The outlook isn’t much better for petroleum workers. 

My staff recently encountered one fisherman who, like others, has plenty of time on his hands these days.  When he tried to fish in violation of the ban, he got caught and ticketed by a state agent.  Employment opportunities are limited for a lifelong fisherman with little education.  While waiting on BP to call him for help with the cleanup, he joins others at the bars.  Heavy drinking has led to violent fights with his wife.  The other day, she and their children moved out of the house.

Another fisherman’s dilemma is also typical.  He and his family must now choose between what to keep:  their home or their boat.  BP is sending this family $5,000 a month, but that only covers boat insurance and docking fees. 

I personally know two fishermen who’ve considered taking their own lives.  I know of another who actually attempted suicide.  

Tied to the fortunes of these fishermen is the seafood and tourism-based economy of New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish.  Indeed, with both the commercial fishing and oil and gas industries suffering, Louisiana’s economic future hangs in the balance.  With oil washing up along the state’s already fragile coastline, its ecological health is equally as vulnerable.

Both BP and the Obama Administration have taken criticism for perceived deficiencies in their responses to this unfolding disaster.  Fixing blame, however, is less important than fixing the problem.  What matters now is the response going forward.  Congress and the Administration must take decisive action to address both short and long-term needs.  We will not get a second chance to get this right. 

Obviously, the pressing priority is to plug the leak and contain the spill.  The federal Unified Command must continue to support BP in every way possible to achieve that objective. 

Beyond that, I strongly recommend the following action:

·          Partially lift the moratorium on deepwater drilling.  Let oil companies drill without tapping oil reservoirs.  This compromise solution keeps the industry safely afloat while safety protocols are under review;

·          Accelerate oil revenue sharing on deepwater leases issued after December 20th, 2006.  The Gulf states are not scheduled to begin receiving 37.5% of royalties collected by the federal government until fiscal 2017.  Move that date up to fiscal 2011, so states have income to pay for coastal restoration.  Congress should also fund restoration of Louisiana’s marshlands by expanding the state’s share of revenues on all leases, regardless of depth;

·          Raise the $75 million liability cap on economic damages oil companies can be forced to pay spill victims.   The cap, imposed in 1990 following the Exxon Valdez spill, is not adequate in today’s dollars;

·          Reorganize the Minerals Management Service.  A recent investigation found MMS regulators engaging in lax oversight of offshore drilling and even accepting gifts from oil and gas production companies, representing a conflict of interest and possible lapse of ethics. 

·          Streamline administration of BP’s $20 billion escrow fund to make it a victim-friendly resource, unlike the Road Home fiasco created after Katrina;

·          Devise a long-term recovery plan.  The House took a step in that direction last week when passing the Small Business Lending Fund Act, authorizing $30 billion to lend small businesses struggling from the recession.  The Act, which now goes to the Senate, includes an Amendment, co-sponsored by Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and me, giving special consideration to spill-affected areas. 

Congress deserves credit for what is has done.  Even so, there is much work left to do. Time is pressing.  The need for collegiality and understanding is great.  After all, New Orleans life and culture are uniquely American.  Louisiana’s coastline is America’s coastline.  The Gulf accounts for 30% of the nation’s total domestic oil production.  What happens to the region’s economy has direct national impact.  The BP spill constitutes a truly national threat, one we must meet collectively head-on.

Westwego City Hall and police station will be replaced with $4 million  approved by the U.S. Civilian Board of ContractAppeals.

Deepwater Horizon sank April 22 after a blast critically injured 4 workers, left 11 missing and caused an oil leak.

April Witnesses the Passing of Two Civil Rights Pioneers

Height	Hooks

Capitol Blog—Tuesday, April 20, 2010


Congressman Cao questions officials from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about flood protection
during an April 9th tour of the surge barrier now
under construction in New Orleans East

Congress Extends National Flood Insurance Program & Unemployment Benefits

I'm relieved to report Congress gave final approval last Thursday to H.R. 4851, which extends through May the National Flood Insurance Program, COBRA health care insurance benefits for laid off workers and Medicare payment rates for physicians.  The bill also extends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program through June 2nd. 

The passage of H.R. 4851 will make national flood insurance available again for Louisiana homeowners and help home buyers close pending deals to purchase a home.  The program lapsed March 28th due to the Senate's failure to take action before adjourning for the two-week Easter recess.
 
Unfortunately, this is only a temporary extension. Within just a matter of a few weeks, the flood insurance program will again expire, leaving the public yet again in a state of uncertainty about coverage. 

That is why I am drafting legislation to extend the National Flood Insurance Program for five years in hopes that this will deliver a more permament solution for the people of Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District. 

I was among 289 House members voting in favor H.R. 4851, which will further promote and support our recovery, both from the storms and the national recession.


Congressman Cao talks to constituents at his
jobs fair held March 27th in Algiers

House Passes Clean Estuary Act of 2010

Last week, I cast a vote in support of the Clean Estuary Act of 2010 (H.R. 4715).  Barataria-Terrebone and other Louisiana estuaries support our seafood industry and provide a critical defense to hurricanes and tropical storms.  The bill passed the full House and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

2010 Census

If you have not returned your completed census questionnaire to the U.S. Census Bureau, please do so immediately.  Although the mailing deadline was Friday, April 16th, it's not too late to mail in your completed questionnaire.  The only difference is that if you mail it after Friday, April 16th, a census worker may still visit your household to gather census information.  Census enumerators will begin going door-to-door collecting census responses on May 1st.

Getting an accurate count is critical because it will determine how much federal money flows into the 2nd District over the next ten years for projects and services such as hospitals and emergency care, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges and tunnels.  Billions of dollars hang in the balance.

I am deeply concerned over the low return rate so far.  Heading into last Friday's deadline, the Census Bureau reported only 41% of distributed census questionnaires had been returned from New Orleans.  That's the lowest rate in Louisiana, among the lowest in the country, and it's substantially below the city's 2000 return rate of 58%.
 
Only 66% of distributed questionnaires had been returned from Jefferson Parish, compared to 71% in 2000.
 
Those figures compare to a 68% return rate nationwide and a 60% return rate for the state of Louisiana.

For New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, this is easily the most important census ever taken, because it will determine for the first time since Katrina how many displaced residents have come home, and that count will figure heavily into future funding for our recovery.

If you have not received a census form, you can get assistance through the Census 2010 Help Line at        1-866-872-6868.  You will be able to give your census responses over the phone.

Don't wait any longer.  Mail in your questionnaire or else call the Census 2010 Help Line right away.  Every person counts.

Constellation Program

Last Tuesday, I spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of continued federal funding for NASA’s Constellation Program to resume lunar missions.  Continued funding of Constellation is essential for operations at the Michoud assembly facility in New Orleans East.  Michoud is scheduled to build components of the Constellation project.
 
As you probably know by now, President Obama’s FY2011 budget proposal does not include funding for Constellation because of the administration’s concern over potential cost overruns or possible delays in the project timetable.  According to the White House Office of Management and Budget, “the Constellation Program would not be able to land astronauts on the Moon until well into the 2030s -- more than 10 years later than planned -- without large budget increases.”

The president proposes to replace Constellation with a program to develop propulsion technologies that would send missions deeper into space.  The administration’s four-page plan, while mentioning NASA production facilities throughout the country, contains no mention whatsoever of Michoud.  A shutdown would cost the New Orleans area economy thousands of high-skilled jobs.

Ever since Michoud first went into service in 1943 as a production site for World War Two era plywood cargo planes, and went on to become a NASA plant in 1961, it has played a substantial role in the nation’s aeronautical and aerospace endeavors.  The crew of Apollo 11, man’s first flight to the moon, was propelled by a Saturn 1C booster built at Michoud.

To this day we enjoy countless practical benefits from Apollo technology in appliances and tools that affect our everyday lives, such as improved weather forecasting, which is vitally important to those of us who live in Louisiana and on the Gulf Coast. 

I am worried about how abandoning Constellation might dry up opportunities for new everyday applications of the technology developed under the program.

I am also concerned about how the nation’s space program would be affected.  I share Neil Armstrong’s concern that it would leave NASA with no means of transporting our astronauts to and from the International Space Station, and could set the space program back decades.”

I will not stand for this glaring omission in the FY2011 budget.  You have my commitment that I will do all I can to keep Constellation on track and Michoud in business.

Going Green Award

I’m pleased to report that my office has received a “Green the Capitol” award, signed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for our efforts to reduce waste and conserve energy through recycling and reduction of power consumption and water.  My staff and I place high priority on energy efficiency because it is integral to environmental sustainability and saves our constituents tax dollars.  We are proud to be among the 50 of 470 House offices, including Congressional and committee offices, to receive the award last Thursday from House Chief Administrative Officer Dan Beard.

Anh "Joseph" Cao
Member of Congress

In Case You Missed It: Cao Speaks on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Cao said: "As America embarks on its 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade tomorrow, thousands will participate in the March for life in our nation’s capital. But, fundamentally, this year’s anniversary of Roe v. Wade should have deeper meaning than previous years."

In Case You Missed It: Wednesday night, Congressman Cao delivered his first in a series of Saints speeches on the House floor. Learn more about Cao’s initiative to honor the Saints here.



SPEECH TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker,

The New Orleans Saints are having an historic season. Their success has benefitted our city so much that I wanted to give constituents a chance to honor them.

Today’s statement is from Michael DesJardins of New Orleans. Michael writes:

“I BELIEVE!! Finally. It's been 40 or so years of hope and disappointment - much more disappointment.

“As I [bask] in the glow of another victory by The Saints, I have finally let my heart believe that this could be the year.

“They have the spirit, the talent and the determination. They seem to like and support one another.

“Their success is not a product of stardom but of common effort by the whole team. They have transformed the Saints into a powerful organization that lifts up the whole community.

“We can all learn from them.

“Long-suffering, leading to hope, only to be dashed by the heartbreak of defeat and disappointment. This story of the Saints' past could be the story of our City Government.

“Our Sainted team has been transformed into a constellation of bright shining stars. Dare we believe that New Orleans can share in that transformation?”

Thank you, and I yield back.