Congressional Outlook and

Legislative Priorities

Congressional Outlook and

Legislative Priorities

Eric WebsterDirector of Legislative Affairs

January 24, 2007

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 2

2006 Accomplishments

2006 Accomplishments

NOAA’s Legislative Accomplishments 20061. Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Act2. Marine Debris 3. Tsunami Warning and Education

Act4. National Integrated Drought

Information System (NIDIS)

NOAA’s Congressional Activities 2006

51 Congressional Hearings (most ever?)900 Briefings to Members and Staff20,000 Communications between OLA and Congress

Phone calls, inquires, requests, emails, etc.

Trips, Outreach and Education

Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Act

Otter trapped in marine debris

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 4

What can we expect from

the 110th CongressDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

What can we expect from

the 110th CongressDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Democratic take over of Committees, Floor, Staff—The Whole Agenda!

Dr. Jekyll: More receptive audience for NOAA Issues (i.e. oceans and environment)

Mr. Hyde: Goal to Criticize Administration and make headlines.

Oversight and Investigations (i.e. Scientific Integrity, Climate Change, and Satellites)

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 6

Key NOAA Committees

Key NOAA Committees

House Science & TechnologyChair—Bart Gordon (D-TN)Ranking Republican—Ralph M. Hall (R-TX); Boehlert (R-NY) retiresNew Subcommittee on Energy and Environment—Chair and Ranking Member TBDNew Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee—Chair and Ranking Member TBD

House ResourcesChair Nick Rahall (D-WV)Ranking Member Don Young (R-AK)Subcommittee on Fisheries, Oceans and Wildlife—Chair and Ranking Member TBD

Bart Gordon

Ralph M. Hall

Nick Rahall

Don Young

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 7

Key NOAA Committees

Key NOAA Committees

Senate CommerceChair—Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI)Ranking Republican—Ted Stevens (R-AK)New Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard—Chair and Ranking Member TBD

Senate AppropriationsChair—Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)Ranking Republican—Thad Cochran (R-MS)CJS Subcommittee: Chair—Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Ranking—Richard C. Shelby (R-AL)

Daniel K. Inouye Ted Stevens

Robert C. Byrd Barbara Mikulski

Richard C. Shelby

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 8

Key NOAA Committees

Key NOAA Committees

House AppropriationsChair—David R. Obey (D-WI)Ranking Republican—Jerry Lewis (R-CA)CJS Subcommittee: Chair—Alan B. Mollahan (D-WV), Ranking—Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ)

What does this mean?

Jerry Lewis

David R. Obey

Alan B. Mollahan

Rodney Frelinghuysen

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 9

DOC Legislative Priorities

DOC Legislative Priorities

Top 101. Immigration Reform2. Trade Promote Authority3. Free Trade Agreement- Columbia4. Free Trade Agreement- Peru5. Aquaculture6. Export Act7. Environmental Stewardship (Corals, Sanctuaries, Marine

Mammals, Cooperative Conservation)8. U.S. PTO Fees9. NIST Reauthorization10.Hydrographic Services

What Does this Mean?These are issues the Secretary will talk about during speeches, participate in events, play some sort of active role, etc.

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 10

NOAA Legislative Priorities

NOAA Legislative Priorities

NOAA Congressional Priorities

NOAA Organic ActAquacultureCorals, Sanctuaries, Marine Mammals, Cooperative ConservationHydrographic Services

Line Office PrioritiesNOS: Corals, Sanctuaries, Hydrographic Services, IOOS, CZMANMFS: Aquaculture, Funding to Implement MSA, ICCAT, IWC, Regional PrioritiesNWS: Services Elevation (CONOPS), Aviation Weather, TsunamisOAR: Scientific Openness, Hurricane Research, UAS’s, Sea Grant ReauthorizationNESDIS: Outreach/CommunicationNMAO: NOAA Corps, Vessel Authorization

SES Summit 2007: Congressional Outlook and Legislative Priorities 11

NOAA’s Office of Legislative AffairsNOAA’s Office of

Legislative AffairsWe are here to serve you—Strategic Consultants

Tremendous Opportunities with New Members and Staff—We already started

Please remind people in the field to work with NOAA OLA First!

To facilitation interaction between NOAA and Congress NOAA OLA developed guidance on:

Congressional TravelBriefingsCorrespondenceTestimony/Testifying