Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) offered an amendment to H.R. 3354, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018, which would remove a harmful rider undermining the National Ocean Policy that would harm the ability of federal agencies like the Bureau of Ocean Energy (BOEM) to coordinate with states and local communities to solve their ocean management challenges. The National Ocean Policy directs government agencies with differing mandates to work collaboratively to improve ocean health and also ensures that all competing interests—including conservationists, fishermen, scientists, shipping companies, port managers, energy developers, and those who live and work in ocean communities—have a voice in creating solutions for the many problems facing our oceans. On September 7, the House rejected the Lowenthal amendment by a vote of 189-220 (House roll call vote 477). YES is the pro-environment position.