U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement following Republicans’ blocking of a bipartisan amendment to ban offshore drilling off the Gulf of Mexico:

“House Republicans blocked my bipartisan amendment to ban oil drilling off the coast of Florida late last night – meaning they will not allow a vote at all.  The amendment with U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Naples), follows the Department of Defense (DOD) report that oil drilling is inconsistent with the military mission in the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” said U.S. Rep. Castor.  “The environmental and economic reasons not to drill are paramount, but DOD gives our argument greater urgency.  The only way to fully ensure the readiness of our military and protect Florida’s economy and environment is to extend the moratorium permanently.  Despite recent declarations by Interior Secretary Zinke and Governor Rick Scott, they did nothing to press Speaker Ryan and House Republicans to allow a vote and end the push to drill once and for all.  Their election year conversion on offshore drilling has been interesting but shallow.  We are not going to give up, however, and I thank U.S. Rep. Rooney for his consistent leadership.”

U.S. Rep. Castor has been an outspoken opponent of oil drilling off of Florida’s coast throughout her time in Congress.  She has authored bipartisan legislation like the Florida Coastal Protection Act, which was cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Naples), that would ban drilling off the Florida coast permanently.

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