Blumenthal Meets With Secretary of Commerce Nominee Gina Raimondo

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) met virtually with President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Commerce, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. During the meeting, Blumenthal and Raimondo discussed the need to restore and preserve scientific integrity at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and across the Commerce Department. Today, Blumenthal also met virtually with Don Graves, the nominee for Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

In today’s meetings, Blumenthal raised the need for the Commerce Department to champion oceans and the environment. Blumenthal and Raimondo discussed the need to preserve our country’s fisheries, combat climate change, and ensure the success of coastal communities. Blumenthal is a lead sponsor of the Foraged Fish Conservation Act, legislation to protect small fish serving as a primary food source for seabirds, larger fish, and other marine life. They talked about the need to restore protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamount Marine National Monument to preserve its fragile and pristine deep-sea marine environments. Blumenthal was a lead Member of Congress advocating for the establishment of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument under the Obama Administration.

Blumenthal and Raimondo also discussed the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on businesses and workers across the country, the vital role Electric Boat plays for the workforce in Connecticut and the need for skilled workforce training to add more high-skilled jobs, and ensuring that everyone is counted as part of the Census.  

“As Governor of an ocean state, Gina Raimondo will be an environmental and maritime champion at the Department of Commerce. As a founding supporter of the Green New Deal, I welcome her support for protecting our oceans and other vital natural marine environments—a Blue New Deal. She knows the highly important role NOAA and Commerce have in preserving pristine ecosystems like the Northeast Canyons and Seamount Marine National Monument.”

“In today’s meetings, she made clear the Biden Administration’s commitment to restore and strengthen scientific integrity at NOAA and across the Commerce Department.”

“In addressing the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 on businesses, we agreed on the need for training programs to match more workers with skilled job opportunities like those at Groton’s Electric Boat.”

“I look forward to working with Governor Raimondo to protect our oceans and shorelines, combat the effects of climate change, boost trade and industry, and help our workforce and businesses.”

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