On the recordJune 4, 2015
Today I rise to speak in support of new legislation I am cosponsoring with my friend Congressman David Jolly to extend Florida's Gulf Coast oil drilling ban to the year 2027. The drilling ban currently extends 125 miles off much of Florida's Gulf Coast and as far as 235 miles in some areas, but it is set to expire in 2022. There are some in the Senate trying to reduce the ban to just 50 miles as soon as next year. This legislation reaffirms our commitment to protecting Florida's precious Gulf Coast beaches and will protect the environment, our economy, and military operations in the Gulf. An oil spill like Deepwater Horizon just 50 miles off of northwest Florida's beaches would be devastating for our region. We can't allow that to happen and should pass this legislation to extend the drilling ban and protect Florida's Gulf Coast beaches. ____________________
