Ocean Champions is the only political voice for ocean health. We take a non-partisan approach in working with
the U.S. Congress to ensure ocean health through electoral and legislative action.

Baird Busts HABs!

Over the past five days, you've sent 1,000 faxes and emails to Congress urging them to take action to control and prevent Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) - thank you!  Today, these efforts paid off as the Energy and Environment Subcommittee unanimously passed the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act.  Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) ran the meeting with conviction, and took care to thank the bi-partisan leadership that has helped move the bill, including original co-sponsors (ocean champions in bold) Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI), Rep. Connie Mack IV (R-FL), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD). 

In addition to the original co-sponsors, a number of other Congressmen and women have signed on as co-sponsors, including ocean champions Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-MN). Because of the interest in this bill, leadership is allowing new co-sponsors to sign on until the full committee votes. Ocean Champions has been working hard to expand the list, and we expect a number of other champions to sign on over the next few days.  If you haven't written to your Representative yet, we ask that you please do so now.  Continuing the bi-partisan push and generating even more co-sponsors will help provide the momentum to get the bill to the House floor.

Thank you for all that you've done.  Please keep engaging with us on this legislation, as it is critical for ocean health, and we're confident that it can be passed this year.

2 October 2009, 12:20 am