Congressman Moulton's Floor Speech on NOAA Asset Forfeiture Fund Amendment

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) joined Congressmen William Keating and Stephen Lynch to offer an amendment to reform the use of monies in the Asset Forfeiture Fund (AFF) to H.R. 1335, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. Below is a statement that Moulton delivered on the Floor of the House of Representatives.

"I would like to thank my colleague and friend from Massachusetts, Mr. Keating, for the time and for all the work he has done along with Mr. Lynch on behalf of our Commonwealth’s fishing communities.

"I rise in strong support of this amendment, which clarifies the uses of NOAA’s Asset Forfeiture Fund so we can make smart investments in scientific research and preserve an economically viable fishing industry.

"This amendment will provide our fishermen, shore-side businesses, and fishing communities with the assurance that the money in NOAA’s Asset Forfeiture Fund will go towards improving the science behind sustainable fishery management practices.  Additionally, the amendment offers fisheries Councils with the resources they need to develop comprehensive fishery impact analyses to better serve our fisheries and fishing communities .

"The intent of Congress in the Magnuson-Stevens Act is for fishery managers to strike an appropriate balance between science-based conservation and measures that will ensure the long-term viability of fishing communities.

"The amendment my colleagues and I are offering today is very much in line with this directive. I urge a yes vote and yield back the balance of my time."

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