[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COAST GUARD REAUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I wish to raise concerns about 
the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, known as VIDA, which is included 
in the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Act of 2018.
  I voted in favor of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Act of 2018, along 
with 93 of my colleagues, because I strongly support the Coast Guard 
and its mission. The women and men of the Coast Guard provide 
invaluable services to our Nation, which include homeland security, 
maritime safety, drug interdiction, search and rescue, and marine 
environmental protection.
  However, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act title in the Coast Guard 
authorization bill is a rider that I have long opposed. VIDA imposes a 
uniform national standard and preempts California law in a way that 
weakens California's ballast water management program, which protects 
coastal waters from pollution and invasive species.
  California has one of the most stringent ballast water discharge and 
management standards in the Nation. It is home to three of the 
country's largest and busiest ports with extremely high-volume traffic.
  California's ports are often the first stop for vessels from Asia 
before they travel up the West Coast. Therefore, California is often 
the first line of defense against the spread of invasive species and 
other types of pollution. That is why it has led the Nation in one of 
the most advanced, stringent ballast water and invasive species 
management programs--and with much success.
  Invasive species wreak havoc on ecosystems and infrastructure, with 
wide ranging effects from damaging levee systems to crippling 
commercial fisheries. Due to climate change, warming waters and 
shifting currents will increase the spread of invasive species, and 
strong safeguards are needed now more than ever.
  This is why I strongly oppose VIDA's preemption of California's 
ballast water program.
  For all these reasons, I supported the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Act 
of 2018, but do not support the VIDA provision contained therein. Thank 
you.

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