WASHINGTON — The bid to pass Hurricane Sandy aid could hit a snag over the controversial provision to insert $150 million for fisheries as far away as Alaska.
“This legislation is not going to pass without the inclusion of this fishery money, point blank and period,” Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said during the recent Senate debate.
A new House disaster-aid bill has stripped out almost all of the fisheries money destined for projects in Alaska and Massachusetts in its $51 billion package.
Funds for Alaska are to deal with tsunami debris that washed up from Japan. In Massachusetts, federal funds would address low fish stocks that hit the industry hard in September.
“Whatever changes they make is going to at least slow the bill down or derail the bill,” said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.