Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) offered an amendment to H.R.4899, the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014, which would strike language in the underlying bill prohibiting the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement from coordinating with coastal states, the public, and other stakeholders on programs and plans to ensure the safe and productive use of our nation’s oceans and Great Lakes. The National Ocean Policy, created by an Executive Order, directs government agencies with differing mandates to work together 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 all have a voice in creating solutions for the many problems facing our oceans. On June 26, the House rejected the Lowenthal amendment by a vote of 179-232 (Roll call vote 361). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.