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I mentioned in last week’s Roundup that the Deep Oceans Energy Resources (DOER) Act was on the House vote calendar last week. I am pleased to report that this legislation was approved by a vote of 232-187 last Thursday.
The DOER Act eliminates outdated federal regulations that prohibited all deep sea energy exploration. Further, the bill gives decision-making power to the states, allowing them to choose whether or not to allow exploration within 100 miles of their coasts. At the same time, the United States government can authorize energy exploration between 100 and 200 miles off the country’s coastlines.
This change in energy policy is a positive one for Americans. As we try to meet our energy challenges, it is important that all solutions are on the table. Increasing energy exploration in a responsible manner, far away from our beaches and shores can contribute to America’s energy independence.
WTO Meeting on Agriculture Trade Ends With No Deal
Negotiators from several member countries of the World Trade Organization, including the United States, met this past weekend to discuss international trade. Agriculture was at the center of the discussions (click here to read my statement). Unfortunately, some of the other countries were unwilling provide access to their markets. They were pushing proposals that created loopholes that would have allowed them to avoid tariff reductions. Our trade representatives wisely rejected these proposals.
While this set of meetings has ended without an agreement, future negotiations will be scheduled. I will continue to urge our negotiators to stand up for U.S. agriculture and advise them that no deal is better than a bad deal.
Happy Birthday, U.S.A.
This week, the United States celebrates its 230th birthday. Since its birth, America has been a beacon of liberty and democracy. Whether in wars to rid the world of communism and fascism, or in a war to rid our own country of the cancer of slavery, the United States military has fought to spread those ideals across the globe.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the brave men and women who have served in the military for helping to ensure that America remains free and that our founding principles continue for generations to come.
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