Ileana Ros-Lehtinen files bill to study rising seas' effects on coral reefs | Naked Politics

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oceans, climate change

> http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2016/07/ileana-ros-lehtinen-files-bill-to-study-rising-seas-effects-on-coral-reefs.html?mc_cid=f7c324619d&mc_eid=75522483b1 <http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2016/07/ileana-ros-lehtinen-files-bill-to-study-rising-seas-effects-on-coral-reefs.html?mc_cid=f7c324619d&mc_eid=75522483b1>
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> Ileana Ros-Lehtinen files bill to study rising seas' effects on coral reefs
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> @PatriciaMazzei
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> Here's something noteworthy: A Republican lawmaker has proposed legislation dealing with one of the effects of sea-level rise.
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> U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami introduced a bill -- dubbed, yes, the "CORAL Act" -- that would widen the scope of coral-reef research to include "the impacts of ocean acidification, warming seas and invasive species." The law would also allow the federal government to more quickly respond to problems like coral disease <http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article57756768.html> and bleaching <http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article85008222.html>, and give agencies a more active role in restoring reefs.
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> The GOP has been reluctant to take on sea-level rise, but the issue is unavoidable for South Florida Republicans with coastal districts, such as Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who signed on to the coral bill. Both face opponents who have stressed climate change as a key issue.
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> "Having fled the oppressive Castro regime in Cuba with my parents decades ago, I know that South Florida is special because it serves as a place of hope for so many," Ros-Lehtinen said on the House floor Wednesday. "We cannot allow changing ocean conditions to rob us of our livelihoods, of our lifestyle, or of our identity as an optimistic community."
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