Letter to Sen. Kaine

Dear Sen. Kaine:

 

S.168, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), would benefit Virginia’s maritime industry, enhance protections for our coastal waterways, and ensure affordable costs for consumer goods shipped to and from our state by commercial vessel. Over the past year, the bill was modified extensively at the request of your colleagues and is now significantly more stringent than when it was approved by the Commerce Committee by voice vote and incorporated in the Coast Guard Authorization bill last year. Given your past support for Virginia’s maritime industry and your understanding of the need for this legislation, I was surprised and disappointed by your vote against VIDA on the Senate floor. I respectfully urge you to put the interests of Virginia’s economy and environment first by voting YES on VIDA when the bill is brought back up for consideration. Your full support is necessary to enact this important bipartisan legislation as soon as possible.

 

To send to Sen. Kaine: https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact