Latest news with #RogerWicker
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Aquaculture can help produce more US seafood
Demand for sustainable protein is on the rise, but the U.S. already harvests the sustainable limit of wild-caught seafood. Our solution is to import up to 85 percent of our seafood — half of that sourced from fish farms in other countries. So why aren't we instead eating seafood from sustainable American fish farms in our own deep ocean waters? Members of Congress have proposed a solution to tackle the chief obstacle to American open ocean aquaculture. The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act of 2025, introduced by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), would help create a pathway for open ocean aquaculture in America by establishing an assessment program to evaluate commercial-scale demonstration projects in federal waters. Open ocean aquaculture is supported by the nation's most influential environmental groups, but to date, not a single commercial-scale finfish farm operates in U.S. federal waters. Recently, a small, single-pen demonstration farm proposed off the coast of Florida was the first offshore project to receive a permit after being mired in the permitting process for more than seven years. The project, which has federal grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, still faces more regulatory hurdles ahead before it is fully approved to enter the water. The challenges faced by Ocean Era and other entrepreneurs seeking to farm in U.S. waters demonstrate that the current federal permitting process is not equipped to support the expansion of aquaculture. These businesses face lengthy, duplicative and costly environmental reviews by multiple federal agencies and no clear authority or regulatory framework to guide them. It's a process that makes it nearly impossible to establish fish farms in U.S. waters. The Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act lays the groundwork for developing an open ocean aquaculture industry in America. Building on years of legislative effort from previous congresses, the bill would create a dedicated Office of Aquaculture within NOAA to coordinate federal permitting for U.S. aquaculture. It would also set clear timelines for permit approvals and establish a consolidated environmental review process during the permitting approval process. Additionally, the bill would authorize grant funding to modernize American working waterfront communities, including infrastructure that benefits both commercial fishing and aquaculture. It also invests in workforce training to develop the next generation of working waterfront professionals. The bill would allow the U.S. to demonstrate what we already know: we can responsibly grow more of our own seafood in deep waters off our shores, just like it's already being done today in other countries, as well as U.S. state waters, like in Hawaii, for example. This incredible and sustainable opportunity is why there is growing consensus in Congress, as well as among leading environmental groups, seafood industry leaders, chefs and academics, who all agree that open ocean aquaculture is not a threat to our oceans, it's a much-needed complement to our nation's wild fisheries. With today's advanced technology, the responsible farming of seafood can sustainably complement our nation's wild-capture harvest to meet the growing demand for fresh, American-raised seafood, create new job opportunities and encourage investment in working waterfront communities. As aquaculture demand grows, it would create new jobs and business opportunities throughout the seafood supply chain, including at hatcheries, equipment manufacturers, feed suppliers, processing plants and retailers. Demand for crops like soy, corn and peas — key ingredients for sustainable feeds — would also create new markets for American farmers in our nation's heartland. The solution to strengthening our seafood supply chain and feeding more families isn't overseas. It's just off our shores.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Which former Mississippi coach would you want for a US Senator? Take our poll
Is there a former Mississippi coach that might make a run for the United States Senate once Sen. Roger Wicker or Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith step away in the next few years? is a writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at rreily@ or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Poll: Which former Mississippi coach would you want for a US Senator? Solve the daily Crossword
Russia Today
31-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Top US senator to visit Taiwan
A leading US Republican senator is set to head a congressional delegation to Taiwan in August, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the plans. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a staunch advocate for Taipei, is expected to reaffirm American support for the island amid signs that the administration of US President Donald Trump is adopting a more conciliatory approach toward Beijing, the outlet said. US congressional visits to Taiwan occur several times a year and routinely draw sharp reactions from China. The latest visit will follow Washington's decision this month to block Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te from transiting through New York on his way to Central America, reportedly after objections from Beijing. Earlier, a planned visit by Taiwan's defense minister to Washington was also canceled to avoid provoking Beijing, according to reports. While past US administrations have avoided endorsing formal Taiwanese independence, Taipei fears Trump could go further and explicitly oppose it, as Beijing has urged. Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory under the One-China principle, recently pressed Washington to clarify its stance. Earlier this year, it criticized the US State Department for removing the phrase 'we do not support Taiwan independence' from an official fact sheet. The developments come as the US and China conduct talks to ease trade tensions, with a third round of negotiations held this week in Stockholm. Despite these efforts, Washington – which officially adheres to the One-China policy – has continued to supply arms to Taiwan and engage in military cooperation with the government in Taipei. Earlier this month, the Trump administration backed increased US military aid to the island, urging Congress to double proposed funding to $1 billion. The White House budget office said it welcomed the $500 million allocated for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative but called for more to boost Taiwan's military. Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949, when nationalist forces retreated there after losing the Chinese Civil War. Although few countries formally recognize the island, most of the international community, including Russia, abides by Beijing's One-China policy.
Wall Street Journal
30-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
GOP Eyes European Money to Replace U.S. Weapons Donated to Ukraine
WASHINGTON—Two top Senate Republicans laid out a plan Wednesday to allow allies to finance donations of U.S. weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, following through on a proposal pushed by President Trump to raise billions of dollars a year for the war effort. The PEACE Act proposed by Sens. Roger Wicker (R., Miss.) and Jim Risch (R., Idaho) provides the most detailed outline yet of how Trump could carry out his new plan to arm Kyiv with European funds after his efforts to bring about a swift end to the war in Ukraine ran aground. Wicker chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee and Risch chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, giving the legislation heft on Capitol Hill.
TimesLIVE
22-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Congress members split over US attack on Iran
Republican and Democratic members of the US Congress delivered swift reactions to US bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities early on Sunday. The following are statements from key legislators: Senate armed services committee chair Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, applauded the operation but cautioned that the US now faced 'very serious choices ahead'. Senate foreign relations committee chair Jim Risch, Republican of Idaho, said, 'This war is Israel's war, not our war, but Israel is one of our strongest allies and is disarming Iran for the good of the world.' Risch added, 'This is not the start of a forever war. There will not be American boots on the ground in Iran.' 'This is not constitutional,' conservative Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky said on social media. He was referring to the power of Congress to declare war on foreign countries. US House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican of Louisiana, said, 'The president gave Iran's leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement. 'The president's decisive action prevents the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants 'Death to America,' from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet.' Senate majority leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said, 'I stand with President Trump.' Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, a daughter of Palestinian immigrants: 'President Trump sending US troops to bomb Iran without the consent of Congress is a blatant violation of our constitution. The American people do not want another forever war. We have seen where decades of endless war in the Middle East gets us — all based on the lie of 'weapons of mass destruction.'' Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said the US public 'is overwhelmingly opposed to the US waging war on Iran' and said Trump displayed 'horrible judgment'. Max Rose, a former Democratic member of Congress who now is a senior adviser to the progressive veterans' group 'VoteVets', said, 'Trump's decision to launch direct strikes against Iran without congressional authorisation is illegal.' Rose added, 'This conflict is his and the Republicans who have abrogated all their responsibilities.'
