The actions of both Both Frank and Brown show that they realize that it's time for action, not more talk. It's time Sen. Kerry recognized that as well — and heeded the voices of the all-too-many real fishermen who're being forced out of the industry.
it is a mystery why every member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation is not making every effort possible to reign in the federal fishing regulatory agency through a budget amendment aimed at freezing NOAA's funding for expanding this job-killing national policy.
The latest example is an anonymous petition faxed to and circulated among fishermen, asking that they sign on in support the new regulatory system, which allocates fishermen "shares" of an allotted catch that be bought, sold or traded like commodities.
Thankfully, the fight against catch shares is gaining steam in Congress: An amendment to the federal budget that would cut off funding to introduce new catch share programs passed 259-159 on Feb. 19, with the support of 51 Democrats. That amendment was cosponsored by Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank.
Now, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, has said he will vote for the amendment when it reaches the Senate. But his colleague, Sen. John Kerry, won't commit, saying there may be "no viable path for it to become law," suggesting either that the Senate will not pass it or that if it does, Obama may veto it.
Read the complete editorial from The Gloucester Times.