U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney Wants to Ensure Feds Will Never Open Eastern Gulf for Oil Drilling

By  //  January 16, 2018

Last week, U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., who is the vice chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee despite having just completed his first year in Congress, unveiled the “Protecting and Securing Florida’s Coastline Act.”

FLORIDA (SUNSHINE STATE NEWS) – Even while the Trump administration has agreed not to allow oil drilling off the coast of Florida, a congressman from the Sunshine State wants to make sure that pledge becomes law.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., who is the vice chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee despite having just completed his first year in Congress, unveiled the “Protecting and Securing Florida’s Coastline Act.” Rooney’s proposal would ensure the federal moratorium banning oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico would become permanent.

Rooney made the case for his proposal on Friday.

“Offshore drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is incompatible with our environment and endangers our military readiness,” Rooney said. The moratorium on exploration and drilling was established in 2006 and will expire in 2022 unless Congress acts. It is critical for the future of Florida and our tourism-based economy that this effort to extend the moratorium succeed.”

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Rooney praised Gov. Rick Scott for his work ensuring the Trump administration would not permit drilling off the Florida coast.

“I am thankful for the hard work of Governor Scott and the responsiveness of Secretary Zinke in carving Florida out of the administration’s updated drilling plan, but we must ensure that future generations do not have to continue fighting this battle,” Rooney said.

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