Matt Gaetz

01/26/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2023 16:19

House of Representatives Adopts Gaetz Amendment to Protect Florida Coasts from Drilling; Congressman Matt Gaetz Applauds Adoption of Amendment

Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) applauds the House of Representatives for adopting his amendment to H.R. 21, the "Strategic Production Response Act." The Congressman's amendment will ensure the protection of President Donald Trump's "Memorandum on the Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition," which maintains a 10-year prohibition on oil and gas leasing off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Specifically, this prohibition protects the U.S. military's ability to utilize the Gulf Test Range to conduct operations that are essential to military readiness.

Additionally, H.R. 21, introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), will limit the draining of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production. The "Strategic Production Response Act" is expected to pass the House later this evening.

"Following the Biden Administration's intentional disruption of our nation's energy supply, unleashing American energy must be a top legislative priority for the 118th Congress. The Strategic Production Response Act today will force the Biden Administration to stop depleting our country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve until they develop a real plan to expand America's access to natural resources. I applaud the adoption of my amendment to the Strategic Production Response Act today, which maintains a 10-year prohibition on drilling off the coast of Florida, including the Gulf Test Range. Republicans have worked diligently to unleash American energy, while at the same time protecting Florida's precious coastline, and I am proud of the work we accomplished,"said Congressman Gaetz.

Congressman Matt Gaetz spoke in support of his amendment on the House Floor earlier today. A video of his remarks can be found HERE.

Full text of the amendment to H.R. 21 can be found HERE.

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