Merkley points finger at Smith over denial of FEMA aid for fisherman

House Speaker and U.S Senate candidate Jeff Merkley’s (D-Portland) campaign Monday accused U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) of being powerless to help his own state after President Bush snubbed Oregon’s fishermen by denying them disaster relief on Friday.

Federal Emergency Management Agency head David Paulison wrote to Gov. Ted Kulongoski saying the cancellation of the Pacific fishing season from California to Washington “is not of the severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration.” After the release of the letter, Merkley campaign spokesman Matt Canter was quick to lay blame at the feet of Smith.

“Time and time again, Smith fails to right a wrong of the Bush administration,” Canter said.

But, Smith and Merkley agree the federal government has left Oregon’s fishermen high and dry.

“FEMA’s denial of a disaster declaration is an affront to the scores of salmon fishermen in Oregon struggling to make ends meet,” said Smith.

Smith had worked in other legislation to try and aid Oregon fishermen. The 2008 Farm Bill, which passed on May 22, included a request by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Portland) and Smith for $170 million in aid to communities in three states affected by the fishing disaster. The Bush administration has requested the cancellation of $70 million of those funds. Smith and Wyden have asked the Senate Appropriations Committee not to cut them.

“This denial makes it all the more important that the Department of Commerce immediately release the $170 million in emergency funds that were promised so that our fishing communities can finally start getting some relief,” Smith said.

Still, Canter believes that as a Republican senator, Smith should be able to get Oregon communities those funds ... and more.

“He’s got all these commercials on how he works so well with Ted Kennedy and other Democrats, but he is unable to deliver any support from anyone within his party? What good is having a Republican senator when he can’t deliver on a single thing for Oregon?” Canter asked.

Washington and California, whose fishermen also suffer from the closure, did not seek FEMA assistance.