Representative Bill Flores (R-TX) offered an amendment to H.R. 3354, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018, which would add a harmful rider undermining the National Ocean Policy. 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. This harmful rider would weaken 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. On September 13, the House approved the Flores amendment by a vote of 216-199 (House roll call vote 497). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The House passed H.R. 3354 on September 14, but the Senate took no action on this legislation.