Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008
West Coast lawmakers vow to save salmon funding
WASHINGTON -- West Coast lawmakers are protesting a plan by the Bush administration to take $70 million from the $170 million approved in the farm bill as disaster relief for the Pacific Coast salmon fishing industry.
Bush's budget office says the money is needed to pay for higher-than-expected costs of the 2010 census.
West Coast lawmakers from both parties call the request a slap in the face of fishermen hurting from the collapse of the salmon fishing industry in California, Oregon and Washington. The collapse led to the largest salmon closure in West Coast history.
A letter signed by 14 Democratic House members calls the request unconscionable. Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon says he will join the Democrats to prevent the cuts.
Bush's budget office says the money is needed to pay for higher-than-expected costs of the 2010 census.
West Coast lawmakers from both parties call the request a slap in the face of fishermen hurting from the collapse of the salmon fishing industry in California, Oregon and Washington. The collapse led to the largest salmon closure in West Coast history.
A letter signed by 14 Democratic House members calls the request unconscionable. Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon says he will join the Democrats to prevent the cuts.
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