Issue Position: Offshore Drilling

Issue Position

98% LIFETIME RATING BY CONSERVATION VOTERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA

There is no doubt South Carolina needs a strong voice on this issue and I promise to be that voice. As a member of South Carolina's General Assembly, I have a 98% rating with conservation voters. In fact, the first piece of legislation I ever filed as a state lawmaker, in my first week in office, was an anti-offshore drilling measure; the first rally I ever spoke at the state capitol was an anti-drilling rally.

Preserving our land is a top issue for me personally, having grown up here and witnessing all of the growth and over-development over the years, and I've led on this issue at the state level from the very first day I was elected to office.

BIPARTISAN LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED

South Carolina needs a voice that can work side by side with the current administration in building consensus among members of both political parties. We will never ban offshore drilling at the federal level if we do not have someone who can lead on this issue in a bipartisan manner.

Our beautiful coastline and our way of life depend on it. The U.S. House of Representatives has taken up a ban on drilling off the coast of the continental U.S., however, not a single member of South Carolina's delegation voted for it, except for my opponent because it was his bill; and it will never become law because it will never pass the US Senate and it will never become law because it lacked bipartisan support.

Bipartisanship is critical the success of all conservation and environmental issues.

I support the coast hook, line and sinker and my record reflects this.

Oil drilling and seismic testing have no place on our coastline. They jeopardize our coastal economy that relies on clean beaches and inviting water. I was proud to join with the state Senate and Gov. Henry McMaster in supporting a year-long ban on drilling infrastructure on our shores and in our state waters. I will work to make this ban permanent. That's because the areas I represent in the Legislature -- Charleston, Daniel Island, Hanahan and Mount Pleasant -- have too much to lose and too little to gain from any push to drill off our coast.

A temporary ban on offshore drilling is good, but a permanent ban is great!

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