West Coast Dungeness Crab Management Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today, we are considering H.R. 2168, sponsored by my
friend and fellow Washingtonian, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler.

This bipartisan, consensus-based legislation makes permanent the
longstanding management of the Dungeness crab fishery by Washington,
Oregon, and California. The three States manage this crab fishery under
the umbrella of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Management is funded by the participating States.

We must pass legislation to continue this management. In fact, the
Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that H.R. 2168 would
save the Federal Government up to $1 million in discretionary Federal
spending since State management would continue under this bill.

If State management expires and this bill is not enacted, then the
Federal Government would have to expend new resources to manage the
fishery. This bill keeps that from happening. The States have shown
that they are exemplary at handling this management and it is
unnecessary for this authority to fall to the Federal Government.

This bill is a win for the American taxpayer, a win for the seafood
consumer, a win for my home State as well as the States of Oregon and
California, and a win for those employed by the sustainable harvest of
the species.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.

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