Congressman Tierney to File Amendment to Fund Fisheries Disaster Relief at $150 Million
January 09, 2013
Washington D.C. – Congressman John Tierney today announced his intention to file a fully offset amendment to Hurricane Sandy relief legislation to raise the fisheries funds from $5 million to $150 million. Along with lawmakers across Massachusetts and other impacted states, Tierney has been outspoken in his frustration that the House Republican proposals fall drastically below the $150 million that the Senate approved at the end of the 112th Congress.
"The hardships confronting our fishermen are real and urgent. Recent natural disasters in addition to stocks that are not rebuilding have caused too many of our fishermen and their families to face the threat of bankruptcy and the loss of their livelihood.
My amendment takes responsible steps to increase the funds for fisheries disaster relief from $5 million to $150 million – the amount approved by the Senate on a bipartisan basis. The $5 million suggested by House Republicans is insufficient, and we can and should do better. In the days ahead, I will work with my colleagues from Massachusetts and other impacted states to urge the Rules Committee to allow an up-or-down vote on my amendment on the House Floor," said Congressman John Tierney, who advocated for the inclusion of fisheries disaster assistance funding in any Hurricane Sandy relief legislation.
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