“President Biden’s early action to pause new oil and gas leasing in public waters and launch a rigorous review of all existing leasing and permitting related to fossil fuel development is good news for Florida. This is an important step towards safeguarding our beaches, economy and way of life, but executive orders can be reversed, so I’m more determined than ever pass a law to make permanent the ban on drilling off Florida’s coasts.

“The Congressional moratorium currently in place that protects waters up to 235 miles off the west coast of Florida from oil drilling will expire in June 2022. While I’m grateful for President Biden’s announcement, Congress must act now to pass my bipartisan legislation, the Florida Coastal Protection Act, into law which would make permanent the moratorium on oil drilling off Florida’s coast. It passed the House last Congress with a bipartisan majority and sat on Mitch McConnell’s desk without a vote. Florida’s beautiful beaches and our economy are tied to clean water and clean air, and it’s critical the Congress takes decisive action to fully protect Florida’s economy and environment.”