[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H5076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMOVING REDUNDANT RED TAPE

  (Mr. POLIQUIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, there are millions of Americans across our 
country who are frustrated that Republicans and Democrats are not 
working together to get things done. Well, I can tell you that is not 
the case, Mr. Speaker, in the great State of Maine.
  During the past 6 months, I have worked very hard with Congresswoman 
Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, who represents our First District in 
Maine. I am a Republican representing our Second District. Together we 
have ushered through a very important bill, Mr. Speaker, that removes 
redundant and harmful red tape from being imposed upon 650 hardworking 
Mainers who harvest and process sea urchins and cucumbers from the 
ocean floor.
  Now, unlike lobsters, Mr. Speaker, that are caught in traps up in 
Maine, sea urchins and cucumbers are collected on the bottom of the sea 
floor by those who dive in the cold, dark waters. It is a very 
dangerous job, and the product is a delicacy in the Far East, but it is 
very perishable.
  Now already, Mr. Speaker, Maine officials inspect sea cucumbers and 
urchins before they leave the State, but the last couple years, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife folks down in New York are imposing additional red 
tape before they can get on cargo planes.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I am proud of the Maine 
commonsense, bipartisan bill that removes this redundant red tape from 
650 people who work as hard as anyone you can find.

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