Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 50) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to give priority consideration to selecting Pensacola and Perdido Bays as an estuary of national significance, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 50.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

S. 50 would add the Pensacola and Perdido Bays, located in northeastern Florida, to the list of estuaries given priority consideration under the EPA's National Estuary Program.

The National Estuary Program was created by Congress in 1987. It aims to protect and restore estuaries of national significance across the United States.

S. 50 was introduced by our Senate colleagues, Senators Rubio and Scott, earlier this Congress.

The Senate passed S. 50 with a voice vote in March, and I encourage support for this legislation today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In closing, S. 50 will help protect important habitat and water resources in Florida. This noncontroversial legislation has the support of the Florida congressional delegation, the State of Florida, the community, and local stakeholders.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of S. 50, legislation sponsored by Senator Rubio of Florida. This bill adds Pensacola and Perdido Bays in Florida as priority considerations for the Administrator of the EPA to designate as part of the National Estuary Program.

In the Pacific Northwest, we know that healthy estuaries like the Puget Sound support healthy fish, birds, and other wildlife, as well as important economic activities such as trade, fishing, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

That is why I worked over multiple Congresses to authorize the National Estuary Program and was pleased to see that the bipartisan infrastructure law not only authorize that program but provided $132 million in investments for improving habitat and restoring estuaries.

The legislation we consider today is the result of work of local organizations near these two critical Florida estuaries to add them to the National Estuary Program. It is further proof of the importance of this program. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, protecting healthy estuaries is good for the economic activities like outdoor recreation, as well as good for fish, birds, and other wildlife. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged from further consideration of S. 50 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the Rubio substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill, as amended.

I ask that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.