Bill Nelson: “we are on a subject that is near and dear to the heart of the Senator from Florida--both Senators from Florida. It is a…”

“we are on a subject that is near and dear to the heart of the Senator from Florida--both Senators from Florida. It is a subject of which, a year ago, in bringing up an energy bill, there was an attempt to drill off the coast of Florida, and this Senator had to start his first filibuster. We were able to resolve that with the help of the distinguished senior Senator from New Mexico, Mr. Domenici, who, true to his word, let the Energy bill go on without bringing up the portions with regard to drilling off of Florida when it went to conference with the House of Representatives. And I have thanked Senator Domenici many times on this floor for being a man of his word. I must say, in the negotiations that have brought this legislation to the floor now, I give great credit to the senior Senator from Louisiana, Ms. Landrieu, in looking out for the interests of her State in receiving revenue--what would come from new drilling that this legislation addresses not only for Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, but especially for Louisiana. It addresses those revenue needs that the State needs since it is losing all of those wetlands. We saw the results of that in the great tragedy of Hurricane Katrina a year ago. So I give great credit to Senator Landrieu.…”