Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities

1
Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities

• Eric Webster
• Director of Legislative Affairs
• January 24, 2007

2
2006 Accomplishments

• NOAAs Legislative Accomplishments 2006
• Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Act
• Marine Debris
• Tsunami Warning and Education Act
• National Integrated Drought Information System
  (NIDIS)
• NOAAs Congressional Activities 2006
• 51 Congressional Hearings (most ever?)
• 900 Briefings to Members and Staff
• 20,000 Communications between OLA and Congress
• Phone calls, inquires, requests, emails, etc.
• Trips, Outreach and Education

Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Act
Otter trapped in marine debris
3
(No Transcript)
4
What can we expect from the 110th CongressDr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

• Democratic take over of Committees, Floor,
  StaffThe Whole Agenda!
• Dr. Jekyll More receptive audience for NOAA
  Issues (i.e. oceans and environment)
• Mr. Hyde Goal to Criticize Administration and
  make headlines.
• Oversight and Investigations (i.e. Scientific
  Integrity, Climate Change, and Satellites)

5
(No Transcript)
6
Key NOAA Committees

• House Science Technology
• ChairBart Gordon (D-TN)
• Ranking RepublicanRalph M. Hall (R-TX) Boehlert
  (R-NY) retires
• New Subcommittee on Energy and EnvironmentChair
  and Ranking Member TBD
• New Oversight and Investigation
  SubcommitteeChair and Ranking Member TBD
• House Resources
• Chair Nick Rahall (D-WV)
• Ranking Member Don Young (R-AK)
• Subcommittee on Fisheries, Oceans and
  WildlifeChair and Ranking Member TBD

Bart Gordon
Ralph M. Hall
Nick Rahall
Don Young
7
Key NOAA Committees

• Senate Commerce
• ChairDaniel K. Inouye (D-HI)
• Ranking RepublicanTed Stevens (R-AK)
• New Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries
  and Coast GuardChair and Ranking Member TBD
• Senate Appropriations
• ChairRobert C. Byrd (D-WV)
• Ranking RepublicanThad Cochran (R-MS)
• CJS Subcommittee ChairBarbara Mikulski (D-MD),
  RankingRichard C. Shelby (R-AL)

Daniel K. Inouye
Ted Stevens
Robert C. Byrd
Barbara Mikulski
Richard C. Shelby
8
Key NOAA Committees

• House Appropriations
• ChairDavid R. Obey (D-WI)
• Ranking RepublicanJerry Lewis (R-CA)
• CJS Subcommittee ChairAlan B. Mollahan (D-WV),
  RankingRodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ)

David R. Obey
Jerry Lewis
What does this mean?
Alan B. Mollahan
Rodney Frelinghuysen
9
DOC Legislative Priorities

• Top 10
• Immigration Reform
• Trade Promote Authority
• Free Trade Agreement- Columbia
• Free Trade Agreement- Peru
• Aquaculture
• Export Act
• Environmental Stewardship (Corals, Sanctuaries,
  Marine Mammals, Cooperative Conservation)
• U.S. PTO Fees
• NIST Reauthorization
• Hydrographic Services
• What Does this Mean?
• These are issues the Secretary will talk about
  during speeches, participate in events, play some
  sort of active role, etc.

10
NOAA Legislative Priorities

• NOAA Congressional Priorities
• NOAA Organic Act
• Aquaculture
• Corals, Sanctuaries, Marine Mammals, Cooperative
  Conservation
• Hydrographic Services

• Line Office Priorities
• NOS Corals, Sanctuaries, Hydrographic Services,
  IOOS, CZMA
• NMFS Aquaculture, Funding to Implement MSA,
  ICCAT, IWC, Regional Priorities
• NWS Services Elevation (CONOPS), Aviation
  Weather, Tsunamis
• OAR Scientific Openness, Hurricane Research,
  UASs, Sea Grant Reauthorization
• NESDIS Outreach/Communication
• NMAO NOAA Corps, Vessel Authorization

11
NOAAs Office of Legislative Affairs

• We are here to serve youStrategic Consultants
• Tremendous Opportunities with New Members and
  StaffWe already started
• Please remind people in the field to work with
  NOAA OLA First!
• To facilitation interaction between NOAA and
  Congress NOAA OLA developed guidance on
• Congressional Travel
• Briefings
• Correspondence
• Testimony/Testifying