Floridians Win Drilling Fight

 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Jim Davis and a bipartisan group of members from Florida and other coastal states scored another victory in the long-running battle to protect our shores from the looming dangers of offshore oil and gas rigs. 

 

Last night, the House Republican Leadership backed down from their effort to abolish the moratoria that protect Florida’s coastlines from drilling.  In the face of mounting pressure from members determined to protect America's coastal treasures at any cost, all language pertaining to drilling in the waters of the Outer Continental Shelf was pulled from the Budget Reconciliation Bill.  The bill is scheduled for a vote today.

 

Rep. Davis, who has persistently fought efforts by drilling proponents to weaken the laws protecting Florida’s coasts, had worked to unify opponents of the measure, reaching out to his Republican colleagues to send a message that Floridians would not stand for legislation that threatens our shores.

 

“Floridians will not compromise our coastline,” said Congressman Davis.  “Countless Americans and Floridians treasure Florida’s beautiful beaches, and those beaches are more than just a tropical paradise; they are the economic lifeblood for many, many Floridians.  Today, we have sent a message to drilling proponents that their rigs are not welcome off our coasts.”