Commerce Committee Approves Cruz Legislation to Better Fight Wildfires, Combat Illegal Fishing, Study Drought, and Help Traveling Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statements after the Committee advanced four pieces of legislation with strong bipartisan support: the Fire Ready Nation Act, the Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act, National Landslide Preparedness Reauthorization Act, and the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act. These measures now go to the full Senate for consideration.

The Fire Ready Nation Act, introduced with Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) would help emergency managers and firefighters better predict, respond to, and prepare for wildfires. The bill makes several reforms to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as deploy more federal meteorologists to wildfire frontlines so that responders can incorporate more accurate and timely forecast information into their response plans.

Sen. Cruz worked with his colleagues to incorporate several amendments in this legislation that will benefit Texans, specifically Sen. Schatz's amendment to ensure that information about current fire location is communicated where rural communities are the first responders to wildfire. This amendment came directly out of conversations with farmers from North Texas, who spoke to Sen. Cruz's office about how, as they were working together to help their neighbors battle the fire and move cattle out of harm's way, they were not always getting up to date information on the fire's location. Sen. Cruz also worked with Sen. Schatz on an amendment to assist Texas's network of weather stations that gather critical information about the weather, soil, and moisture - known as the Texas Weather mesonet.

Upon passage of the Fire Ready Nation Act, Sen. Cruz said:

"Texans have seen devastating wildfires consume hundreds of thousands of acres across the Lone Star State, particularly in the panhandle. Better forecasting and preparation for such disasters will greatly reduce the damage from fires in the future, helping to protect Texans' homes and the livelihoods of many farmers and ranchers across the state. I am grateful to have partnered with Chairwoman Cantwell on this critical legislation to help keep Texans safe and deadly wildfires under control and I look forward to seeing the Fire Ready Nation Act pass through Congress and become law."

This year alone, 170 wildfires have consumed 1.25 million acres in Texas, destroying ranches, killing thousands of cattle, and forcing evacuations. In the panhandle, the Smokehouse Creek fire scorched almost 1.1 million acres, setting the record for the largest wildfire in Texas history. Dry, hot, and windy weather combined with dried-out vegetation increased the speed and severity of the wildfires that hit the Texas Panhandle earlier this year, making it more difficult for Texans to respond to the swift-moving flames.

The second piece of legislation, the Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act, introduced by Sen. Cruz along with Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), targets illegally caught red snapper imports by requiring the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper imported into the United States.

Upon passage of the Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act, Sen. Cruz said:

"Cartel-backed criminal entities are poaching red snapper in American waters and importing it for unwitting consumers to buy, while the profits help fund other illicit activities like drug smuggling and human trafficking. We can crack down on illegal fishing by dangerous criminal gangs with new technology that can identify the geographic origin of red snapper. I am glad this common-sense legislation has cleared this important hurdle, and I am hopeful the full Senate will quickly act to protect the livelihoods of Texas fishermen."

Technology exists to chemically test and find the geographic origin of many foods, but not for red snapper. The legislation aims to develop a field test kit that the Coast Guard can use to accurately ascertain whether fish were caught in Mexico or U.S. waters, thus allowing federal and state law enforcement officers to identify the origin of the fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper before it is imported back into the U.S.

Sen. Cruz also worked extensively with Chairwoman Cantwell on incorporating a number of amendments to her National Landslide Preparedness Reauthorization Act that would authorize a next generation water observing system and modernize and expand the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauge network. These amendments will provide additional resources for drought research, aiding communities in South Texas struggling with drought conditions.

Upon passage of the National Landslide Preparedness Reauthorization Act, Sen. Cruz said:

"I would like to thank the Chair for incorporating my amendments to improve water observing systems at the U.S. Geological Survey. Texans, and others across the country, rely on water observations from USGS to protect communities from flood and drought, both of which lead to slope destabilization and landslides. Even now, communities and farmers in South Texas are facing a devastating drought. The streamflow information my amendment requires will help predict and prepare for droughts and landslides."

The fourth piece of legislation is the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, a bill Sen. Cruz is joining as a cosponsor previously introduced by Sens. Duckworth (D-Ill.), Daines (R-Mont.), and Hirono (D-Hawaii). This legislation requiresthe Transportation Security Administration(TSA) to update its guidance and minimize the risk of contamination of covered infant liquids and related accessories to keep them cool during the security screening process.

Upon passage of the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, Sen. Cruz said:

"Far too often, families traveling with infants and young children are subjected to inconsistencies when going through TSA's screening, causing inconveniences that can make traveling together even more difficult. I am pleased that this simple legislation to update the TSA's compliance guidance for the 3-1-1 liquids rule has cleared the Committee process, and I am hopeful that it will pass swiftly so that families can count on being able to travel without added hassles."

Baby formula, breast milk, purified deionized water for infants, and juice are exempt from TSA's current 3-1-1 liquids restriction onboard aircraft. This legislation, enacted in 2016,included additional training requirements for TSA screening personnel. Unfortunately, families continue to report instances of TSA delaying their screening or prohibiting carrying covered infant liquids through security checkpoints. This was partially due to a lack in exemption in breast milk or infant formula over 3.4 ounces from TSA's 3-1-1 liquids rule, leading to spotty implementation and unpredictable enforcement. Additionally, families reported TSA's wipe-downs of bottles, pumps, or formula during screening for explosives and other contaminants had contaminated such infant formula.

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https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2024/7/commerce-committee-approves-cruz-legislation-to-better-fight-wildfires-combat-illegal-fishing-study-drought-and-help-traveling-families