[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3276-3283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 
                                  2010

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the resolution just adopted, I 
call up the bill (H.R. 3650) to establish a National Harmful Algal 
Bloom and Hypoxia Program, to develop and coordinate a comprehensive 
and integrated strategy to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, 
and to provide for the development and implementation of comprehensive 
regional action plans to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and 
ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1168, in lieu 
of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Science and Technology printed in the bill, the amendment 
in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 111-439 
is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered read.
  The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Harmful Algal Blooms and 
     Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010''.

     SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH 
                   AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
     Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note).

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Amendment.--The Act is amended by inserting after 
     section 602 the following:

     ``SEC. 602A. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
       ``(2) Program.--The term `Program' means the National 
     Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program established under 
     section 603A.
       ``(3) State.--The term `State' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, any other territory or possession of the United 
     States, and any Indian tribe.
       ``(4) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
     the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in 
     section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is 
     amended by adding after the item relating to section 602 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 602A. Definitions.''.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA PROGRAM.

       (a) Amendment.--The Act is amended by inserting after 
     section 603 the following:

     ``SEC. 603A. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA 
                   PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (d), 
     the Under Secretary, through the Task Force established under 
     section 603(a), shall establish and maintain a National 
     Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program pursuant to this 
     section.
       ``(b) Duties.--The Under Secretary, through the Program, 
     shall coordinate the efforts of the Task Force to--
       ``(1) develop and promote a national strategy to 
     understand, detect, predict, control, mitigate, and respond 
     to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia 
     events;
       ``(2) integrate the research of all Federal programs, 
     including ocean and Great Lakes science and management 
     programs and centers, that address the chemical, biological, 
     and physical components of marine and freshwater harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(3) coordinate and work cooperatively with State, tribal, 
     and local government agencies and programs that address 
     marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(4) identify additional research, development, and 
     demonstration needs and priorities relating to monitoring, 
     prediction, prevention, control, mitigation, and response to 
     marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(5) encourage international information sharing and 
     research efforts on marine and freshwater harmful algal 
     blooms and hypoxia, and encourage international mitigation, 
     control, and response activities;
       ``(6) ensure the development and implementation of methods 
     and technologies to protect the ecosystems affected by marine 
     and freshwater harmful algal blooms;
       ``(7) integrate, coordinate, and augment existing education 
     programs to improve public understanding and awareness of the 
     causes, impacts, and mitigation efforts for marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(8) assist in regional, State, tribal, and local efforts 
     to develop and implement appropriate marine and freshwater 
     harmful algal bloom and hypoxia response plans, strategies, 
     and tools;
       ``(9) provide resources for and assist in the training of 
     State, tribal, and local water and coastal resource managers 
     in the methods and technologies for monitoring, controlling, 
     mitigating, and responding to the effects of marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events;
       ``(10) oversee the development, implementation, review, and 
     periodic updating of the Regional Research and Action Plans 
     under section 603B; and
       ``(11) administer peer-reviewed, merit-based competitive 
     grant funding to support--
       ``(A) the projects maintained and established by the 
     Program; and
       ``(B) the research and management needs and priorities 
     identified in the Regional Research and Action Plans.
       ``(c) Cooperative Efforts.--The Under Secretary shall work 
     cooperatively and avoid duplication of efforts with other 
     offices, centers, and programs within the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration and other agencies represented 
     on the Task Force established under section 603(a), States, 
     tribes, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with 
     marine and freshwater aquatic issues related to harmful algal 
     blooms and hypoxia.
       ``(d) Freshwater Program.--With respect to the freshwater 
     aspects of the Program, the Administrator and Under 
     Secretary, through the Task Force, shall carry out the duties 
     otherwise assigned to the Under Secretary under this section 
     and section 603B, including the activities described in 
     subsection (e). The Administrator's participation under this 
     subsection shall include--
       ``(1) research on the ecology of freshwater harmful algal 
     blooms;
       ``(2) monitoring and event response of freshwater harmful 
     algal blooms in lakes,

[[Page 3277]]

     rivers, estuaries (including their tributaries), and 
     reservoirs;
       ``(3) mitigation and control of freshwater harmful algal 
     blooms; and
       ``(4) an identification in the President's annual budget 
     request to Congress of how much funding is proposed in that 
     request for carrying out the activities described in 
     subsection (e).
       ``(e) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
     Activities.--As part of the program under this section, the 
     Under Secretary shall--
       ``(1) maintain and enhance existing competitive grant 
     programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration relating to marine and freshwater harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(2) carry out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom 
     and hypoxia events response activities; and
       ``(3) enhance communication and coordination among Federal 
     agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal 
     bloom and hypoxia activities, and increase the availability 
     to appropriate public and private entities of--
       ``(A) analytical facilities and technologies;
       ``(B) operational forecasts; and
       ``(C) reference and research materials.
       ``(f) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--All 
     monitoring and observation data collected under this Act 
     shall be collected in compliance with all data standards and 
     protocols developed pursuant to the National Integrated 
     Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
     3601 et seq.), and such data shall be made available through 
     the System established under that Act.
       ``(g) Action Strategy.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date 
     of enactment of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research 
     and Control Amendments Act of 2010, the Under Secretary, 
     through the Task Force established under section 603(a), 
     shall transmit to the Congress an action strategy that 
     identifies--
       ``(A) the specific activities to be carried out by the 
     Program and the timeline for carrying out such activities; 
     and
       ``(B) the roles and responsibilities of each Federal agency 
     in the Task Force established under section 603(a) in 
     carrying out Program activities.
       ``(2) Federal register.--The Under Secretary shall publish 
     the action strategy in the Federal Register.
       ``(3) Periodic revision.--The Under Secretary shall 
     periodically review and revise the action strategy prepared 
     under this subsection as necessary.
       ``(h) Report.--Two years after the submission of the action 
     strategy, the Under Secretary shall prepare and transmit to 
     the Congress a report that describes--
       ``(1) the activities carried out under the Program and the 
     Regional Research and Action Plans and the budget related to 
     these activities;
       ``(2) the progress made on implementing the action 
     strategy; and
       ``(3) the need to revise or terminate activities or 
     projects under the Program.''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in 
     section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is 
     amended by adding after the item relating to section 603 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 603A. National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program.''.

     SEC. 5. REGIONAL RESEARCH AND ACTION PLANS.

       (a) Amendment.--The Act is amended by inserting after 
     section 603A the following:

     ``SEC. 603B. REGIONAL RESEARCH AND ACTION PLANS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, through the Task 
     Force established under section 603(a), shall--
       ``(1) identify the appropriate regions and subregions to be 
     addressed by each Regional Research and Action Plan; and
       ``(2) oversee the development and implementation of the 
     Regional Research and Action Plans.
       ``(b) Contents.--The Plans developed under this section 
     shall identify--
       ``(1) regional priorities for ecological, economic, and 
     social research on issues related to the impacts of harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(2) research, development, and demonstration activities 
     needed to develop and advance technologies and techniques for 
     minimizing the occurrence of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia 
     and improving capabilities to prevent, predict, monitor, 
     control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(3) ways to reduce the duration and intensity of harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia, including in times of emergency;
       ``(4) research and methods to address human health 
     dimensions of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(5) mechanisms, including the potential costs and 
     benefits of those mechanisms, to protect vulnerable 
     ecosystems that could be or have been affected by harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia events;
       ``(6) mechanisms by which data, information, and products 
     are transferred between the Program and State, tribal, and 
     local governments and relevant research entities;
       ``(7) communication, outreach, and information 
     dissemination methods that State, tribal, and local 
     governments and stakeholder organizations can undertake to 
     educate and inform the public concerning harmful algal blooms 
     and hypoxia; and
       ``(8) the roles that Federal agencies can play to assist in 
     the implementation of the Plan.
       ``(c) Building on Available Studies and Information.--In 
     developing the Plans under this section, the Under Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(1) utilize and build on existing research, assessments, 
     and reports, including those carried out pursuant to existing 
     law and other relevant sources; and
       ``(2) consider the impacts, research, and existing program 
     activities of all United States coastlines and fresh and 
     inland waters, including the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, 
     and estuaries and tributaries.
       ``(d) Development of Plans.--The Under Secretary shall 
     develop Plans under this section with assistance from the 
     individuals and entities described in subsection (f).
       ``(e) Plan Timeline and Updates.--The Under Secretary, 
     through the Task Force established under section 603(a), 
     shall ensure that the Plans developed under this section are 
     completed not later than 24 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research 
     and Control Amendments Act of 2010, and updated once every 5 
     years thereafter.
       ``(f) Coordination and Consultation.--In developing the 
     Plans under this section, as appropriate, the Under 
     Secretary--
       ``(1) shall coordinate with State coastal management and 
     planning officials;
       ``(2) shall coordinate with tribal resource management 
     officials;
       ``(3) shall coordinate with water management and watershed 
     officials from both coastal States and noncoastal States with 
     water sources that drain into water bodies affected by 
     harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; and
       ``(4) shall consult with--
       ``(A) public health officials;
       ``(B) emergency management officials;
       ``(C) science and technology development institutions;
       ``(D) economists;
       ``(E) industries and businesses affected by marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ``(F) scientists, with expertise concerning harmful algal 
     blooms or hypoxia, from academic or research institutions; 
     and
       ``(G) other stakeholders.''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in 
     section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is 
     amended by adding after the item relating to section 603A, as 
     added by section 4(b) of this Act, the following new item:

``Sec. 603B. Regional research and action plans.''.

     SEC. 6. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA.

       Section 604 is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 604. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA.

       ``(a) Task Force Initial Progress Reports.--Not later than 
     12 months after the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal 
     Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 
     2010, the Administrator, through the Mississippi River/Gulf 
     of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, shall complete and 
     transmit to the Congress and the President a report on the 
     progress made by Task Force-directed activities toward 
     attainment of the goals of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.
       ``(b) Task Force 2-Year Progress Reports.--After the 
     initial report required under subsection (a), the 
     Administrator, through the Task Force, shall complete and 
     transmit to Congress and the President a report every 2 years 
     thereafter on the progress made by Task Force-directed 
     activities toward attainment of the coastal goal of the Gulf 
     Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.
       ``(c) Contents.--The reports required by this section shall 
     assess progress made toward nutrient load reductions, the 
     response of the hypoxic zone and water quality throughout the 
     Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin, and the economic and 
     social effects. The reports shall--
       ``(1) include an evaluation of how current policies and 
     programs affect management decisions, including those made by 
     municipalities and industrial and agricultural producers;
       ``(2) evaluate lessons learned; and
       ``(3) recommend appropriate actions to continue to 
     implement or, if necessary, revise the strategy set forth in 
     the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.''.

     SEC. 7. PACIFIC NORTHWEST, ESTUARIES, AND PUGET SOUND 
                   HYPOXIA.

       (a) Amendment.--The Act is amended by inserting after 
     section 604 the following:

     ``SEC. 604A. PACIFIC NORTHWEST, ESTUARIES, AND PUGET SOUND 
                   HYPOXIA.

       ``(a) Assessment Report.--Not later than 12 months after 
     the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia 
     Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010, the Task Force 
     established under section 603 shall complete and submit to 
     Congress and the President an integrated assessment of 
     hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific 
     Northwest that examines the

[[Page 3278]]

     status of current research, monitoring, prevention, response, 
     and control efforts.
       ``(b) Plan.--The Task Force shall include in the regionally 
     appropriate Regional Research and Action Plan developed under 
     section 603B a plan, based on the integrated assessment 
     submitted under subsection (a), for reducing, mitigating, and 
     controlling hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of 
     the Pacific Northwest. In developing such plan, the Task 
     Force shall consult with State, Indian tribe, and local 
     governments, and academic, agricultural, industry, and 
     environmental groups and representatives. Such plan shall 
     include incentive-based partnership approaches. The plan 
     shall also address the social and economic costs and benefits 
     of the measures for reducing, mitigating, and controlling 
     hypoxia.''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in 
     section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is 
     amended by adding after the item relating to section 604 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 604A. Pacific Northwest, estuaries, and Puget Sound hypoxia.''.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization.--Section 605 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 605. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated--
       ``(1) to the Under Secretary to carry out sections 603A and 
     603B, $34,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015, 
     of which, for each fiscal year--
       ``(A) $2,000,000 may be used for the development of the 
     Regional Research and Action Plans and the reports required 
     by section 604A;
       ``(B) $3,000,000 may be used for the research and 
     assessment activities related to marine and freshwater 
     harmful algal blooms at research laboratories of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
       ``(C) $8,000,000 may be used to carry out the Ecology and 
     Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms Program (ECOHAB);
       ``(D) $5,500,000 may be used to carry out the Monitoring 
     and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms Program (MERHAB);
       ``(E) $1,500,000 may be used to carry out the Northern Gulf 
     of Mexico Ecosystems and Hypoxia Assessment Program (NGOMEX);
       ``(F) $5,000,000 may be used to carry out the Coastal 
     Hypoxia Research Program (CHRP);
       ``(G) $5,000,000 may be used to carry out the Prevention, 
     Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms Program 
     (PCM);
       ``(H) $1,000,000 may be used to carry out marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events response 
     activities; and
       ``(I) $3,000,000 may be used for increased availability, 
     communication, and coordination activities; and
       ``(2) to the Administrator to carry out sections 603A, 
     603B, and 604, $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 
     through 2015.''.
       (b) Extramural Research Activities.--The Under Secretary 
     shall ensure that a substantial portion of funds appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) that are used for research 
     purposes are allocated to extramural research activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. After 1 hour of debate on the bill, as 
amended, it shall be in order to consider the amendment printed in part 
B of House Report 111-439 if offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Flake) or his designee, which shall be considered read, and shall be 
debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent.
  The gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Hall) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control 
Amendments Act of 2009, as amended, is a good bipartisan bill. The bill 
represents a timely and necessary step to address the large and growing 
problems of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. The Harmful Algal Blooms 
and Hypoxia Research and Control Act was first signed into law in 1998 
and last reauthorized in 2004. Since the last reauthorization, there 
has been an increase in the number, frequency, and type of algal blooms 
and hypoxic events.
  These events can terribly affect the marine and freshwater systems 
where they occur. Large fish kills, closed beaches, and poisoned 
seafood are all typical consequences of harmful algal blooms.
  I listened to the debate on the rule prior to our debating the bill 
itself; and as far as the question of why are we debating this, the 
simple answer is, it can kill you. Indeed, it does kill some of our 
citizens every year. It kills countless numbers of fish life, it 
destroys tourism, and it costs hundreds of millions of dollars. That 
seems to me a pretty good reason to take something up.
  In addition, as my dear friend and colleague from Florida will 
attest, his tourist industry, as mine, and as the gentlewoman from 
Maine who spoke earlier and indeed the gentleman from California and my 
colleague from Texas, all have beaches which are adversely affected. If 
the issue we are concerned about is jobs, harmful algal blooms are 
destroyers of jobs in addition to takers of lives.
  In freshwater, harmful algal blooms present a toxin that is very, 
very difficult to remove; and let me clarify why. All the normal means 
we use to purify water don't work with harmful algal blooms. You cannot 
boil it because boiling separates the toxin from the algae and actually 
concentrates the toxin. Indeed, lab researchers use boiling as a way to 
concentrate the toxin when they are trying to study it. You can't 
filter it because filtering breaks down the bodies of the algae, and 
that also releases the toxin. Chlorine doesn't work because chlorine is 
designed to kill protozoa, and these are not protozoa. The toxin is not 
caused by a protozoa.
  So we've got a very dangerous problem. And beyond that, it is a 
problem that is expanding in duration. Harmful algal blooms and hypoxic 
events are starting earlier in the season and lasting longer. They are 
growing in larger scale, and they are spreading around the country. We 
have some ideas about why, and we have some ideas about how to control 
them, but we don't know for certain. And that is why this bill matters, 
and that is why my colleagues, Mr. Mack, Mr. Ehlers and others, have 
worked on it. We have taken some important steps since 1998 and 2004. 
And, again, I want to commend my colleague, Vern Ehlers, who has been 
instrumental on this issue for many, many years.
  The bill before us would establish a National Harmful Algal Bloom and 
Hypoxia program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration tasked as the lead in overseeing the development of 
these plans and the execution of this national program.
  HABs, again, do not only affect our coastlines. From the waters and 
streams of Virginia and West Virginia to the Great Lakes, throughout 
this country, every single State in the Union, whether it is freshwater 
or marine ecosystem, has been affected by harmful algal blooms. My own 
State of Washington, the Puget Sound in Hood Canal, has a dead zone 
that expands every year. Off our coast, we have increasing dead zones, 
and red tides devastate the tourist industry when they stop the 
clamming season from happening.
  Legitimate questions have been raised about the authorized funding 
levels in this bill. But the increased investment this legislation 
calls for is necessary to address the harmful economic impacts and 
health impacts that HABs pose to our country. Conservative estimates 
back in 2006 estimated a minimum impact of $82 million per year.
  This bill is the product of bipartisan collaboration and contains the 
input of both Democratic and Republican Members. And as I mentioned, 
Dr. Vern Ehlers, Dr. Connie Mack, as well as on our side Mr. Kratovil 
and Ms. Castor, have all offered very valuable input.
  The bill you have before you today is the product of two hearings, a 
subcommittee markup, a full committee markup, post-markup negotiations 
with the three House committees with jurisdiction over the bill, as 
well as negotiations with the Senate Commerce Committee.
  The bill represents a focused effort to address the specific issues 
of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  The bill before us today is the same bill that was before this body 3 
days ago. As such, I don't have much to add today except to compliment 
the gentleman from Washington and tell him that he has made a 
difference in the time he has been here and he will be

[[Page 3279]]

missed when he leaves in November. And it is tough to go against a bill 
that I'm in favor of the thrust that he has, but I have some concerns 
about it.
  I will simply reiterate that I'm supportive of the underlying goals 
of this legislation. It fosters continued research into the causes of 
harmful algal blooms, explores ways to manage these events, and sets up 
mechanisms to potentially predict when they might even occur. While 
supportive of the goals of the measure, I and several of my Republican 
colleagues, and there is a difference among us on this side, have some 
concerns about the authorization levels in this bill as well as the 
potential for unfunded mandates on States and localities.
  This bill authorizes funding that is almost three times the amount 
that had been appropriated in recent years and is 50 percent higher 
than the last reauthorization in 2004. In authorizing legislation, we 
must be mindful of fiscal constraints both at the Federal and the State 
level.
  I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Baird and my colleagues 
on the House Science and Technology Committee as this bill moves 
through the process.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. I thank the gentleman for his comments.
  Before recognizing Ms. Castor, I would just point out, as he is 
aware--first of all, I want to thank him for his support of the 
underlying issue here. I think the recognition of the severity of this 
problem is much appreciated, as Mr. Mack will attest to in just a 
moment.
  Regarding the issue of unfunded mandates, the Congressional Budget 
Office has looked at this legislation and determined specifically that 
it does not impose any unfunded mandates, so I respect the concern but 
would offer assurance that it is not considered a problem, at least by 
CBO.
  Regarding the authorization levels, we discussed these levels at some 
length. Given the severity of the problem, we actually began with the 
higher number. In consult with our friends on the other side of the 
aisle, we actually lowered the number. And, furthermore, the number, of 
course, is an authorizing number; it is not an appropriated amount. Our 
premise is that the problem actually perhaps deserves substantially 
more money than we have been spending on it because it is a deadly 
threat and an economic loss. But we recognize that probably now actual 
appropriated levels will fall below authorization. Having a greater 
authorization allows us to up the effort should a situation arise that 
needs that.
  With that, I'm happy to yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), who has been a champion of this, 
as it affects so much of her State.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to rise in 
strong support of H.R. 3650. I call this the ``red tide'' bill. I would 
like to thank my colleague Mr. Baird for his great leadership on this 
initiative.

                              {time}  1015

  I've heard some discussion here in the Chamber and throughout the 
Capitol the last couple of days, Why are we taking up time with algae? 
Well, let's not diminish the issue because this is vitally important 
for jobs throughout the great State of Florida. I am very pleased that 
my colleague from Florida is in the Chair this morning to preside over 
this.
  We simply can't go backwards when it comes to jobs in our economy, 
and red tide is a significant threat to the tourism economy in the 
State of Florida. We depend in Florida upon people coming from all over 
the country and all over the world to vacation, especially on the 
beautiful beaches of the west coast of Florida, where you have the warm 
waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are no better beaches across the 
entire world than there are on the west coast of Florida. Now, also, on 
the Atlantic side it is quite lovely and the Florida Keys, but we face 
a significant threat from red tide.
  The tourism industry in Florida employs over 1 million people, and it 
is estimated that tourism has a $65 billion impact on our State's 
economy. Add on top of that recreational fishing, commercial fishing. 
What happens when this red tide washes in, it's awful. The tourists 
flee the beaches, and the folks that live and work and rely upon those 
industries really suffer. This happened just a few years ago in 2005. 
We had terrible red tide outbreaks on the west coast of Florida. And I 
can tell you because I had my family there at the beach with about a 
dozen other families where we go right after school is out. And what 
happens is that it causes you a lot of difficulty breathing. Your eyes 
start to water, the fish wash up on the shore, dead fish. And you can 
forget about it. Our economy took a real hit because of red tide. The 
tourists simply don't want to visit polluted beaches. We have 
beautiful, clean, crystal clear water most of the time. But when this 
red tide invades, it's absolutely awful. You can see where it's 
directly tied to jobs because then the word spreads. There were news 
stories over in England and Great Britain, where a lot of our tourists 
come from, and they decided not take their vacation. Now, if that 
happened in this economy, it would be very detrimental. So today's 
legislation will help us combat that threat.
  And I would like to especially thank my colleague from Florida, 
Representative Connie Mack, who represents the Naples, Sanibel Island 
area. There is simply no more beautiful place to vacation than maybe up 
towards my district in Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. But 
Congressman Mack and I have been working on this issue since 2007. He 
was working on it before I arrived in Congress, and we introduced the 
Save Our Shores Act to bring more attention to the research on red 
tide. That's why I am so gratified that the Science Committee, Mr. 
Baird and Mr. Barton, have really stepped up and promoted this. It's a 
bipartisan effort. And it's important because it comes on the heels of 
the tourism bill, the Travel Promotion Act that was signed into law by 
President Obama just last week. It's another good bolstering of the 
tourism economy and all those important jobs to the Sunshine State and 
across the country.
  Now, this legislation will ensure that we learn more about harmful 
algal blooms so that we can protect our precious coastlines and the 
tourism-related jobs that come with having healthy beaches. According 
to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the national 
economic impact of the red tide, the harmful algal blooms, is at least 
$82 million annually. So if we can pump in a little bit of research 
money and figure out what causes this--you see, that's the problem. We 
don't really know what causes the red tide and the algal blooms. If 
we're already suffering an $82 million hit, then it is very cost-
effective for us to put a little bit more money into research and 
coordination. There's a lot of good research out there, but I don't 
think that it's being shared widely. So this initiative will help do 
that. And I think we'll be able to avoid devastating losses to tourism, 
to recreation and to commercial fishing all across the country.
  In 1971, Florida faced an exceptionally bad case of red tide, and 
then again in 2005, and we think that that caused Florida to take a hit 
of over $100 million. So the level of concern about red tide's cost to 
tourism is still high even though it's been a couple of years since our 
last big outbreak. But like I said, if we had an outbreak today in this 
economy, it would severely hurt businesses at a time when we just can't 
take it anymore. The unemployment rate in my community is about 13 
percent, and we rely on folks needing some relaxation time and 
vacations in the beautiful Sunshine State. So that's why I strongly 
support this initiative.
  Again, I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Mack from 
Florida, Mr. Baird, the Science and Technology Committee, and I am 
pleased to urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3650.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Mack).
  Mr. MACK. I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Baird, for his work on 
this important issue. I also want to

[[Page 3280]]

thank the ranking member, Mr. Hall, for his hard work and dedication.
  I also want to recognize that in this bill, there may be a lot of 
people who have concerns about the funding levels, and I'll just pick 
up where the chairman talked about that this is an authorizing bill. 
This is not the appropriations process. But it is important that we 
recognize that for our researchers around the country, they need to be 
able to plan looking forward, and if they constantly are relying on 
funding to be done through the appropriations process once a year, 
whether or not they're going to have the research dollars or not, that 
is no way to conduct quality research, especially on an issue that's so 
important, and I too call this red tide.
  This is an important issue for all of us, not just those that live 
along the coast, but for all of us. It used to be thought that red tide 
was only something that affected the marine life, but now we have seen 
that this has crossed over and is affecting not only the quality of 
life for people who live or vacation at the beach but also can cause 
death. So I commend the committee for this bill.
  Passing this important legislation is the first step in increasing 
research on red tide while ensuring that scientists and experts in the 
field, and not politicians, determine where research money is spent. 
And this is an important fact because right now, all of my colleagues 
and I, we try to make sure that we bring some money home for our local 
research organizations, which we support. But in this legislation what 
we're saying is, let's have a peer review group look at the research 
projects that are out there, and let them decide. Let scientists decide 
what's most important, what research is to be supported and funded.
  This is very important for everybody at home. For those people who 
want to make sure that we control spending, one of the best ways to 
control spending through this bill is to make sure that peer review 
groups are deciding where the money's going, not everyone and Members 
of Congress fighting for their own little project in their backyards. 
So I see this in that light as well. There are great organizations out 
there, whether it's Woods Hole, or Mote Marine, or Florida Gulf Coast 
University, and also Ocean Champions, who have been working hard on 
this legislation, and we need to support them as well.
  So on a last note, growing up in southwest Florida, I have spent my 
whole life on the water in Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach and Captiva, 
and we would have red tide maybe 1 week out of the year.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salazar). The time of the gentleman from 
Florida has expired.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
  Mr. MACK. So we would have an outbreak maybe once a year for 1 week. 
Not too long ago, we had 13 months of straight red tide off the coast 
of Florida in southwest Florida. Clearly something is changing, 
something is happening. And right now, frankly, I don't know that we 
can trust all the research that's out there. This bill will ensure that 
we can trust the research that's happening, that it's done through a 
peer review group, through NOAA, and that we will have reporting to the 
Congress on those findings so we can continue to monitor and hopefully 
eliminate or begin to control red tide so the citizens of this great 
country can enjoy the beaches, our economies can grow, and the quality 
of life can improve.
  Thank you for the time.
  Mr. BAIRD. I want to commend the gentleman from Florida. His personal 
story is one we hear so often. But he knows it firsthand, from his time 
as a child, an occasional red tide where his parents probably said, No, 
you can't go swimming today, son, to a 13-month period of red tide. 
Earlier when I said we have seen an expansion in duration, in size, and 
in breadth across the country, that's precisely what I'm referring to.
  I'm sure this is true of both of my colleagues from Florida. If 
you're a hotel owner, and you get notice that a red tide is forming off 
your beach, that's it. You basically can kiss your entire season of 
income--or at least a good part of it--goodbye. Where I'm from in the 
Pacific Northwest, clamming, razor clams are one of the great things 
that draws people to the coast. Our beaches just are covered with 
folks, and they get up in the wee hours of the morning when the tide is 
low and go out. It is a great family endeavor. It provides a wonderful 
delicacy to people, and people look forward to it year-round, and it is 
the high season at the coast. Except if a scientist is out there and 
says, We've got an algal bloom forming, and it is not safe for people 
to eat the shellfish or to swim in this water at this time.
  Why isn't it safe? Well, first off, I want to underscore that most 
shellfish from around our country is safe, but during these periods, it 
is not. And here is why: The toxin that forms is a neurotoxin. It 
attacks your brain. It's called paralytic shellfish poisoning. In some 
areas, sometimes you will hear it as amnesic shellfish poisoning. 
Amnesic shellfish poisoning attacks the part of your brain that turns 
short-term memories into long-term memories. This is a bad thing. This 
means that you can't learn new information. So when people say, Oh, 
this is algae, what do we care about algae--I heard this a lot 
yesterday. Why are we coming back into session to talk about algae? 
Well, I hope people can remember that if they eat shellfish with 
paralytic shellfish poisoning, they can die. Their brain can be 
damaged. Their children's brains can be damaged. If somebody says, Oh, 
Mom and Dad, it's just red tide, I'm going swimming anyway, you can't 
let that happen. The kid will die. It's that serious.
  Let me turn to the freshwater. A true story from my district. Imagine 
you take your family dog, your beloved favorite pet, to the water that 
you always take them to. You take the tennis ball and you fling it out 
into the water. And your retriever jumps in the water, swims out, grabs 
that tennis ball, swims back to the shore. You take the tennis ball 
out, you turn to throw it, and the dog is dying before your eyes. That 
really happened. It happened in my district in a lake that, when 
there's not an algal bloom, people recreate in, they have sailboats, 
they have boat races, they swim in it, they take their dogs there. From 
one week when it was safe for that dog to go in the water, the owner 
comes back the next week, and through no fault of their own, the dog 
does everything it normally does, and it dies.
  If I had a glass of clear water here, and someone were saying, Oh, 
what a waste of time, what a waste of time to work on this, and it had 
the toxin from blue-green algae, the person who drank that water would 
die. If it's in your freshwater system, a large reservoir for your 
municipality, and you get a blue-green algal bloom in that with toxin, 
I would ask my colleagues who are skeptical about this, Tell me how you 
get it out? There are mechanisms, but they're not easy, and they're 
very costly. How do you get it out of there? And more importantly, tell 
me how you're going to give the people who you represent clean drinking 
water if your water system is contaminated. If you depend on surface 
reservoirs, and you get a blue-green algal bloom, you are in deep, deep 
trouble, and you are looking at a lot of money and possibly some deaths 
of your constituents.
  Mr. Mack talked a little bit about hypoxia, which is a huge problem 
in the Gulf. Let me put this in terms we understand: Hypoxic zones are 
areas where the algae has decomposed, and that decomposition has taken 
the air out of the water, basically taken the oxygen out. Imagine if 
you were walking your normal route to work or to your home, and 
suddenly, invisibly, you went into an area where there was no oxygen in 
the air. You're walking a route you normally take. No oxygen. What 
happens? You suffocate. You die. That's what dead zones do. Hundreds of 
thousands, millions of aquatic fish--the very fish that our fishermen 
in our coastal communities depend on, the very fish we eat and enjoy--
they just flat die. They're swimming in their normal, maybe their 
migratory route, maybe their reproductive areas. They go into this 
area. They can't tell there is no oxygen in the water. They swim

[[Page 3281]]

into it, they have no oxygen, and they die in enormous quantities. Then 
they wash up on the beaches as a pleasant attraction for our tourism 
industry.
  In this body, we stick around to honor sports teams, we praise movie 
stars. This is something that can kill you, for goodness sakes.
  I also want to make sure we thank the many scientists who have done 
the work on this legislation. Scientists around the world are trying to 
study the causes, trying to study the interventions. They literally 
evaluate our beaches around the country and our freshwater systems on a 
daily basis and give us the information we need to protect the public 
safety and health. And I want to make sure I commend them.
  At this point I will reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time.
  In closing, I just want to point out once again to be guarding 
against unfunded mandates on States and localities. This bill will 
reach probably a conference committee somewhere down the road. I would 
like to have that remembered.
  In authorizing legislation, we have to still be mindful of fiscal 
constraints both at the Federal and the State level. The President's 
budget request for the NOAA program is $12.7 million. Forty-one million 
dollars in authorization is significantly above the request. It is a 
good program, a great thrust. I support the thrust. I just ask those 
who vote upon it, for or against it, to remember the unfunded mandate 
danger and the fact that it is well above.
  I now see my colleague from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers, here, who is 
probably going to disagree with me. I will yield him 5 minutes.
  Mr. EHLERS. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I am sorry I arrived late for this debate, but I was speaking at the 
National Academy of Engineering.
  I simply want to speak on the record in support of this bill. It is 
essentially the same bill that I introduced several years ago when we 
were in the majority, and it did pass then. The major change now is of 
course increased funding because of the increased need that has 
occurred.
  The hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, also known as HABs, are 
nationwide problems that have grown tremendously in the last decade, 
not just in the Gulf of Mexico, but also in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake 
Bay, California, the Pacific Northwest, and elsewhere. This is a 
problem that just simply has to be dealt with. It is hurting the 
fishing industry tremendously.
  I recognize that there is concern about the cost of the bill. First 
of all, I am sure we will not be appropriating as much money as is 
authorized. But secondly, you have to measure the effect on commerce of 
this bill, particularly the commercial fishing industry, but also the 
safety of the tourist industry. If we do not correct this problem and 
it continues to spread, we will soon find the tourist industry off the 
southern coast, particularly Florida and the Gulf States and also 
Texas, will be injured because people will simply not be able to use 
the waters and will vacation elsewhere.
  This could create additional problems. I won't go into all the 
details on that. I do have a prepared statement which I will submit. 
But I just wanted to go on record as supporting this bill very 
strongly. I have worked with Mr. Baird. I was the sponsor a few years 
ago, and he helped me then. He is the sponsor now, and I have helped 
him. And I just want to encourage the body to vote for this bill and 
adopt it.
  The cost issue is certainly a legitimate one. It always is. But I 
think that is best addressed through the appropriations process. But 
certainly there is the need to go after this HAB problem scientifically 
and find out why the problem is becoming so much worse, and what we can 
do to stop it. I am hoping that through research we can stop it at far 
less cost than we are talking about in this bill. But we won't know 
until we do the research and get into the details of the problem.
  I again thank the ranking member, Mr. Hall, who has done yeoman work 
on the committee this year. I thank him for yielding time to me, and 
thank him for all the good work he has done.
  I urge the body to adopt this particular bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that today the House is considering H.R. 
3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control 
Amendments Act of 2010.
  Hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, also known as HABs, are nationwide 
problems that affect our coastal and Great Lakes communities. The 
damaging effects of HABs and hypoxia are felt in locations including 
the Chesapeake Bay, California, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes, 
and the Gulf of Mexico. Less than two weeks ago, the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a warning indicating the 
potential for a major bloom in New England this summer that may 
threaten the shellfish industry. These blooms have major economic 
consequences for our country, and must be prevented.
  In 1998, Congress passed a three-year bill authorizing HAB and 
hypoxia research programs, with a focus on the ``dead zone'' in the 
Gulf of Mexico and Pfiesteria in the Chesapeake Bay. The Act was 
reauthorized in 2004, and added freshwater, such as the Great Lakes, as 
an important area for HAB and hypoxia research. It also increased the 
participation of local resource managers in developing HAB and hypoxia 
research plans; ensuring that the research was prioritized to address 
the questions facing people working with HABs and hypoxia on a daily 
basis. Also, the bill required that all research funding be 
administered through a competitive, merit-based, peer-reviewed process.
  The amendments we are considering today strengthen the algal bloom 
research activities at NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA), and improve the communication and coordination between the many 
federal, state and local stakeholders. The bill would facilitate a 
clear national strategy for research in both marine and freshwater 
environments, and reauthorize activities through 2015.
  One comment on the process; I am aware that modifications have been 
made to the legislation since it was considered by the Science and 
Technology Committee, and that some of these modifications fall within 
this committee's jurisdiction. While I understand there are necessary 
technical changes following markups, I do believe the consideration of 
substantive changes should take place in a manner that all committee 
members have the opportunity to voice their input. I understand that 
Subcommittee Chairman Baird will detail these changes on the floor, and 
I thank him for his efforts to share this information with all Members.
  I am pleased that Chairmen Baird and Gordon and Ranking Member Hall 
have worked diligently within the Science and Technology Committee and 
other Committees of jurisdiction to bring this bill expeditiously to 
the floor of the House. This bill will help us improve our 
understanding of these phenomena so that we can accurately predict 
their occurrence and develop tools for improved detection and 
mitigation of these problems. I urge the House to pass this bill.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am so delighted that Mr. Ehlers is here for a number of reasons. 
First of all, the history of harmful algal bloom legislation really 
owes its existence to this gentleman. As a scientist, as someone who 
cares passionately about the people of his State and the Great Lakes, I 
will say without any hesitation the Great Lakes have had no stronger 
champion in the Congress than this gentleman here, Dr. Ehlers. And for 
that matter, I believe science itself has had no stronger champion.
  If you look at his contributions on the Great Lakes, harmful algal 
blooms I just mentioned. Invasive species. He has been a champion in 
trying to fight the zebra mussel, which is also the kind of thing 
someone could look at with derision and say why are we trying to fight 
invasive species, a little tiny mussel? Well, it costs billions of 
dollars a year in property loss and economic loss. Just yesterday we 
were on a panel together and he was raising the very important issue of 
the possible invasion of carp into the Great Lakes system, which would 
devastate the sports fishing and other industries in the Great Lakes.
  The other reason I think it is particularly appropriate that he is 
here is when we speak about red tide, inland

[[Page 3282]]

communities may say, we don't have any marine waters, what do we care? 
The Great Lakes are a classic example of an area where harmful algal 
blooms can affect fresh waters as well as maritime waters. And so my 
hat is off to Dr. Ehlers, and he has my gratitude for his leadership on 
this over the years.
  In closing, I would like to again thank my friend and colleague from 
Texas, my friend from Michigan, and Mr. Mack, Ms. Castor, and Mr. 
Kratovil. I am very grateful for the time, and urge passage of this.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3650, the Harmful 
Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010. I 
am pleased to cosponsor this bill, which would help us address one of 
the most underrecognized problems affecting our coastal communities, 
damaging aquatic environments, and threatening human health.
  Harmful algal blooms can devastate commercial fisheries and tourism. 
Some blooming species produce potent neurotoxins that can kill marine 
organisms and cause human illness--or even death--when contaminated 
seafood is consumed. For this reason, blooms often necessitate 
fisheries closures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
estimates that HABs cost the commercial fishing industry $38 million 
per year. In cases where the blooming organisms do not produce toxins, 
they can deplete the water column of light and oxygen, causing dead 
zones. These often drive off tourists at a cost of millions of dollars 
annually to our coastal communities. All together, NOAA estimates that 
HABs cost the United States economy $82 million per year.
  The bill before us today would establish and maintain a National 
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program to develop a national strategy 
to address this national problem. This would include a full analysis of 
our research, development, and demonstration needs and priorities and 
the creation of coordinated education programs. This is just the kind 
of action we need to take more often. We need to provide our federal 
science agencies the tools they need to gather the scientific data 
necessary to help us develop an effective solution to this problem. I 
am pleased to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do so as 
well.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act, will address a growing 
threat to the health of our aquatic environments and our coastal 
communities.
  H.R. 3650 establishes a program, led by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, to reduce the environmental impact of 
harmful algal blooms, HABs, and hypoxia.
  Algal blooms, which are a rapid increase in the population of algae 
in an aquatic system, are typically not threatening to their 
environments. However, a growing percentage of algal blooms produce 
toxins that can kill fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds, and 
may cause illness in people. Non-toxic algal blooms may also have a 
hypoxic effect on marine ecosystems. For example, when masses of algae 
die and decompose, they can deplete oxygen in the water, causing the 
water to become so low in oxygen that animals either leave the area or 
die. HABs have been reported in almost every U.S. coastal state, and 
their occurrence may be on the rise.
  H.R. 3650 authorizes $41 million each year for the next four years 
for NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to further 
research the complex causes of HABs. The program will develop a 
national strategy to address marine and freshwater HABs, hypoxia, and 
the protection of affected ecosystems. It will educate coastal resource 
managers and the general public with training and awareness programs. 
The program will also identify further research needs, and provide 
grant funding for research projects.
  I strongly support this bill because it is a critical step towards 
the preservation of our coastlines for future generations.
  Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3650, the Harmful 
Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act. I 
represent North Florida along the coast line of the Gulf of Mexico. My 
district has some of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in the 
Nation, as well as a strong fishing and oyster industry. This coastline 
is pristine and much of it is undeveloped. Every time the Algal Blooms 
near our coastline, our local economy and environment come under 
threat.
  Algal blooms have a significant impact on our seafood industry. In 
particular, the blooms directly affect the filter-feeders. Oysters and 
scallops are a significant economic engine to many of the small towns 
along the Gulf coastline. When the 2005 algal bloom incident occurred, 
many folks in my district lost a significant amount of their income 
because of the toxins that result from algal blooms. In fact, the 
Apalachicola Bay was closed for over 50 percent of the season, 
resulting in loss of seafood harvest, cancelled tourist reservations, 
regional defamation and illness that exceeded millions.
  Algal blooms also have a significant impact on Florida's tourism 
industry. The effects of the toxins can lead to respiratory and eye 
problems in people who are exposed. When algal blooms take over, 
tourists can not enjoy the wildlife and ecosystems they came to 
experience and this has a clear and disastrous impact on our State's 
$53 billion tourism industry.
  In conclusion, the welfare of our coastal communities, seafood 
production, and health in the Apalachicola Bay, and all along the 
Florida coast, remains at risk due to algal blooms. This situation must 
have more attention and science devoted to protect our economy and job, 
as well as the environment and public health. I support H.R. 3650 and 
will continue to do my part to help develop responsible and more 
effective methods to stop algal blooms.
  Mr. BAIRD. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  The Chair understands that the gentleman from Arizona will not be 
offering his amendment.
  Pursuant to House Resolution 1168, the previous question is ordered 
on the bill, as amended.
  The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15-
minute vote on passage of H.R. 3650 will be followed by 5-minute votes 
on the Speaker's approval of the Journal and the motion to suspend the 
rules on H.R. 4506.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 251, 
nays 103, not voting 76, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 109]

                               YEAS--251

     Adler (NJ)
     Andrews
     Arcuri
     Baird
     Baldwin
     Barrow
     Bean
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Blumenauer
     Boccieri
     Bono Mack
     Boozman
     Boucher
     Boustany
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Braley (IA)
     Brown, Corrine
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Butterfield
     Capito
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cassidy
     Castle
     Castor (FL)
     Chandler
     Chu
     Clarke
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Cole
     Connolly (VA)
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crenshaw
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Dahlkemper
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (TN)
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     Dent
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly (IN)
     Doyle
     Driehaus
     Edwards (MD)
     Edwards (TX)
     Ehlers
     Ellison
     Ellsworth
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Fallin
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fleming
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Fudge
     Garamendi
     Gerlach
     Giffords
     Gohmert
     Gonzalez
     Gordon (TN)
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Gutierrez
     Hall (NY)
     Halvorson
     Hare
     Harman
     Hastings (FL)
     Heinrich
     Herseth Sandlin
     Himes
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hirono
     Hodes
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Inslee
     Israel
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson Lee (TX)
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kanjorski
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilroy
     Kind
     Kissell
     Kline (MN)
     Kosmas
     Kratovil
     Kucinich
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lee (CA)
     Levin
     Lewis (GA)
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Lowey
     Lucas
     Lynch
     Mack
     Maffei
     Markey (CO)
     Markey (MA)
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum
     McCotter
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McIntyre
     McMahon
     McNerney
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Melancon
     Michaud
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, George
     Minnick
     Mitchell
     Mollohan
     Moore (KS)
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (VA)
     Murphy, Patrick
     Nadler (NY)
     Neal (MA)
     Nye
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor (AZ)
     Paulsen
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Perriello
     Peters
     Peterson
     Petri
     Pingree (ME)
     Platts
     Polis (CO)
     Posey
     Price (NC)
     Putnam
     Quigley

[[Page 3283]]


     Rahall
     Rangel
     Rehberg
     Reichert
     Richardson
     Rooney
     Ross
     Rothman (NJ)
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruppersberger
     Ryan (OH)
     Ryan (WI)
     Salazar
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Scalise
     Schakowsky
     Schauer
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Schwartz
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Serrano
     Sestak
     Shea-Porter
     Sherman
     Shuler
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Snyder
     Space
     Spratt
     Stark
     Stupak
     Sutton
     Tanner
     Taylor
     Teague
     Thompson (MS)
     Tierney
     Titus
     Tonko
     Towns
     Tsongas
     Van Hollen
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson
     Watt
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Welch
     Wilson (OH)
     Wittman
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Yarmuth

                               NAYS--103

     Aderholt
     Akin
     Altmire
     Austria
     Bachmann
     Bachus
     Barrett (SC)
     Bartlett
     Blackburn
     Boehner
     Bonner
     Boren
     Brady (TX)
     Bright
     Broun (GA)
     Burton (IN)
     Camp
     Cantor
     Coble
     Coffman (CO)
     Conaway
     Culberson
     Davis (KY)
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Emerson
     Forbes
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett (NJ)
     Goodlatte
     Granger
     Graves
     Griffith
     Guthrie
     Hall (TX)
     Harper
     Hastings (WA)
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Hunter
     Inglis
     Jenkins
     Jordan (OH)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kirkpatrick (AZ)
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latham
     Latta
     Lee (NY)
     Lewis (CA)
     Linder
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Manzullo
     McCarthy (CA)
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKeon
     McMorris Rodgers
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Myrick
     Neugebauer
     Nunes
     Olson
     Owens
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Price (GA)
     Radanovich
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (MI)
     Royce
     Schmidt
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (TX)
     Souder
     Stearns
     Sullivan
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Turner
     Upton
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Wilson (SC)
     Wolf
     Young (AK)

                             NOT VOTING--76

     Ackerman
     Alexander
     Baca
     Barton (TX)
     Berman
     Bishop (UT)
     Blunt
     Boswell
     Brown (SC)
     Buchanan
     Burgess
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Campbell
     Cao
     Carter
     Chaffetz
     Childers
     Clay
     Costello
     Davis (AL)
     Deal (GA)
     DeFazio
     Delahunt
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Flake
     Frank (MA)
     Gallegly
     Gingrey (GA)
     Grijalva
     Heller
     Higgins
     Hill
     Hoekstra
     Issa
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones
     Kagen
     Kaptur
     Kilpatrick (MI)
     Kirk
     Klein (FL)
     LaTourette
     Loebsack
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lujan
     Maloney
     Marchant
     Marshall
     Miller, Gary
     Moran (KS)
     Murphy (CT)
     Murphy (NY)
     Murphy, Tim
     Napolitano
     Paul
     Pence
     Pomeroy
     Reyes
     Rodriguez
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Rush
     Schock
     Shimkus
     Sires
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Terry
     Thompson (CA)
     Walden
     Wamp
     Young (FL)

                              {time}  1106

  Messrs. SOUDER and WHITFIELD changed their vote from ``yea'' to 
``nay.''
  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Stated for:
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 12, 2010, I was absent 
during rollcall vote No. 109. Had I been present, I would have voted 
``yea'' on passage of H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Amendments Act.
  Stated against:
  Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 109, had I been present, I 
would have voted ``nay.''
  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 109, had 
I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

                          ____________________