Grayson Applauds Appropriations Committees on Vieques Report Language
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) commended the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for including report language recognizing the need for an accelerated cleanup of Vieques and requiring regular reports to Congress regarding the cleanup of Culebra, in the ‘Omnibus Appropriations Act’ for fiscal year 2014. On page 48 of the ‘Joint Explanatory Statement’ for Division C – the Department of Defense Appropriations Act – the Committee states the following:
“VIEQUES ISLAND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
The Navy is conducting environmental restoration at sites on Vieques Island associated with former Navy activities. The agreement recognizes that the Navy is working with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Fish and Wildlife Service to select by consensus a final remedy for those sites. There remains concern regarding the current pace of cleanup action, and the Secretary of the Navy is encouraged to accelerate cleanup efforts once a consensus is achieved. The agreement reiterates direction included in House Report 113-113 that the Secretary of the Navy shall inform the congressional defense committees on the progress of site cleanup. Additionally, the Secretary of the Army shall inform the congressional defense committees on cleanup measures occurring on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico.”
This language, which will have the force of law when President Obama signs H.R. 3547, will ensure that the U.S. Navy moves as quickly as possible in their cleanup of Vieques, that it reports regularly to Congress regularly regarding the cleanup of Vieques, and that the U.S. Army regularly reports to Congress regarding the progress of cleanup on the island of Culebra.
The inclusion of this language is a victory for Puerto Rico, and builds on the success of the Pierluisi-Grayson amendment to the ‘National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014’ (NDAA). That amendment to the House-passed NDAA resulted in language on page 51 of the ‘Joint Explanatory Statement’ encouraging: “the Department of Defense to work with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to ensure the documents and reports from the historical records reviews and investigations that the Department of Defense and the Army completed for those former military sites on Culebra and Vieques are made available to the public.” Again, this language carries the weight of the law as the Department of Defense conducts its duties throughout fiscal year 2014.
Grayson noted, “There was a time when the Defense Committees and Committees on Appropriations refused to acknowledge the tragedies that have occurred on Vieques and Culebra. Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, myself, and other Members of the 113th Congress, past wrongs are being acknowledged, and branches of the U.S. military are being directed to cleanup faster, in a more transparent way. I hope that these elements will facilitate the process of healing and rebuilding the lives of so many Puerto Ricans. Moving forward, Congressional leadership is keenly aware of our grave concerns about the future of Vieques, Culebra, and Puerto Rico. No longer will the U.S. military receive zero guidance from the most important bills Congress produces. No longer will thousands of American citizens be ignored. We will make sure that the natural beauty of Vieques and Culebra return for all to see.”
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.
