Representative Bill Flores (R-TX) offered an amendment to H.R. 5326, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013, which would block implementation of ocean policy programs that would improve management of our oceans and the Great Lakes. The amendment would forbid federal agencies from spending money on any activities related to the National Ocean Policy, which was created by an Executive Order. The National Ocean Policy establishes nine regional committees to develop plans to streamline the permitting process for use of areas along the nation's oceans and Great Lakes, and improves stewardship of these areas by directing government agencies with differing mandates to coordinate and by ensuring that competing interests, such as offshore energy production, fishing grounds, shipping lanes, Navy training areas, and wildlife habitats, are all represented in the permitting process. On May 9, the House approved the Flores amendment by a vote of 246-174 (House roll call vote 234). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. H.R. 5326 subsequently passed the House, but the Senate took no action on this legislation and the amendment was not included in the spending measure maintaining current funding levels for the federal government through March 27, 2013, which President Obama signed into law on September 28.