This is not about the Obama Administration slow walking permits. This is about oil company recklessness.

There is not a 'de facto moratorium,' only a Republican moratorium on the facts.

I also intend to take legislative action to reverse President Obama's imposition of an offshore drilling moratorium outside the Gulf of Mexico.

They were absolutely irresponsible, and their irresponsibility is something that goes to their safety record.

This hearing is apparently taking place in a parallel universe where we did not suffer the worst oil spill in our nation's history last year...

The fact is that domestic oil production has been increasing overall, and in the Gulf of Mexico under the Obama Administration.

The fact is that the Obama Administration is issuing new permits in both shallow water and deepwater.

Let me state very clearly that these hearings will lead to action by this Committee.

The Obama Administration's actions have already caused production in the Gulf of Mexico to decline by nearly 300,000 barrels of oil per day.

This Committee should be taking action to implement the reforms of the Commission to ensure that we are protecting our workers, our environment and our economy.

This is not about the Obama Administration's slow walking permits. This is about oil company recklessness...