Lois Capps: “I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill.…”

“I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. H.R. 4899 is yet another example of the majority's backward energy policy that doubles down on dirty fossil fuels instead of investing in a clean energy future. The bill also specifically targets my congressional district, requiring new oil drilling leases off the central coast of California. {time} 1300 This is the fourth time in as many years that the House leadership has tried to override the will of my constituents and California voters who overwhelmingly oppose new offshore drilling. Even if drilling in these waters could start tomorrow, it would certainly have no impact on gas prices. Why is that? Because the low-quality oil off the central coast of California can't be used to make gasoline. It is used to make asphalt. While I certainly support investing more in our Nation's roads and bridges, this is certainly not the way to do it, so I find it incredibly disingenuous for my colleagues to pretend that this bill would lower gas prices for consumers when, in reality, it is just another big giveaway to Big Oil. I also oppose this rule because it blocks consideration of two important amendments that I had filed. One of those amendments simply required a study on the environmental impacts of offshore fracking. We depend on our oceans for such varied needs and values that the least we can do is understand how they are impacted by these offshore activities.…”