OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Reauthorization of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009

Floor Speech

Date: March 16, 2026
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my bill H.R. 2294, the Reauthorization of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

This bill ensures the continued operation of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, which is a nationwide network of buoys, radars, underwater gliders, and forecasting models that collect critical ocean and coastal data. These tools help provide real-time information on ocean conditions, weather patterns, coastal hazards, and marine ecosystems.

This information is essential for a wide range of Americans who rely on our oceans and coastlines every single day. It supports commercial fishermen, shipping and maritime operations, offshore energy development, hurricane forecasting, and coastal disaster preparedness. It also helps Federal, State, and local officials make informed decisions to protect both lives and livelihoods along our coasts.

For coastal States like mine, Mississippi, and many others across the country, accurate and timely ocean data is not a luxury. It is a necessity. When hurricanes threaten our shores, when fishermen head out to work, or when communities are preparing for coastal flooding, the data collected through the Integrated Ocean Observing System helps ensure they have the best information available to stay safe and make informed decisions.

My bill simply reauthorizes this important program and strengthens coordination between Federal agencies and regional observing systems so that the data being collected is more accessible and more reliable and more useful for the communities that depend on it.

This is a bipartisan commonsense measure that supports science, strengthens coastal resilience, and ensures we continue to have the tools necessary to understand and respond to changing ocean conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and Chairman Westerman for helping get this bill on the floor. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward