Cong. Mario Diaz-Balart Statement on Offshore Drilling

Cong. Mario Diaz-Balart Statement on Offshore Drilling

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) today joined the vast majority of Florida's congressional delegation in signing a letter to House and Senate leaders regarding the delegation's staunch opposition to any proposed oil drilling off Florida's coasts.

"Our delegation's opposition to drilling off the coast of Florida is consistent and unwavering," Diaz-Balart said. "Floridians are strongly against drilling off the coast of Florida, our governor is strongly against it, and President Bush is strongly against it.

"I am reasonably confident that the moratorium will continue to be honored by Congress."

The Bush Administration stopped efforts to drill for oil off the Florida Panhandle coast in 2002. The House version of the energy bill does not include any provision to allow drilling off Florida's coasts nor does it contain any provision allowing for inventory of the Gulf bed.

http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/news/2005news/061505_offshoredrilling.htm