Political Quotes

“I join the gentlewoman in strong support of this motion. This House needs to send a clear signal to the conference committee and the administration that we expect them to keep their promises regarding upholding the moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf. The moratorium on drilling in the OCS along the east and west coasts has a long history of bipartisan support as well as the Gulf and Florida. For more than 20 years, Congress has included language in the Interior appropriations bill that prevents the Department of Interior funding from being used for leasing, preleasing, and related activities in these OCS areas. In 1990, the first President Bush signed an executive moratorium placing a 10-year moratorium on new leasing on the OCS. In 1998, that moratorium was extended and renewed by President Bill Clinton and extended until 2012. Even our current President included traditional legislation moratorium language in his budget request to enable continued protection of these OCS areas.”