Shifting Baselines

Posted by Jack Sterne, jack@oceanchampions.org

With Congress in recess, there's not a lot going on in DC, so I'd like to talk a little more about the red tide funding authorization pushed through the House by Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fl.) two weeks ago. One of the great things about Castor's amendment is that it is the result of a bipartisan collaboration between Castor and Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fl.). These two got together earlier this year to introduce the Save Our Shores Act (HR 1091), whose purpose is to fund and streamline HAB research.

Mack and Castor are both from Florida's Gulf Coast and their cooperation illustrates legislators capable of working together despite partisan divisions and social perception.

We're particularly pleased because both Castor and Mack (1st and 2nd term members of Congress, respectively) were elected through partial support of Ocean Champions. We've worked really hard over the last few years to identify and cultivate relationships with leaders who can set aside partisan views and act upon the common goals of healthy oceans.

We think our bipartisan strategy is paying off. And, yes... we realize it makes some folks pretty nervous. Things have gotten so polarized in DC that it feels pretty out of step, at times, to be an advocate for bipartisanship. Furthermore, there is a perception that environmentalism and bipartisanship are some kind of oxymoron.

Republicans have often provided important leadership on ocean issues (indeed, on lots of environmental issues). It's difficult to see how we win key votes without significant Republican support. And, hey, it's not as if certain Democrats haven't been brutal on the oceans, particularly fisheries (e.g., Rep. Barney Frank).

But, I digress. Let's just hope we see more of the kind of bipartisan cooperation exemplified by Reps. Castor and Mack when Congress comes back from its break next month, because there's a lot on the agenda, in particular OCEANS-21 (more on that in future posts).