Diaz-Balart Disappointed in Senate Committee Action to Drill in Gulf
Diaz-Balart Disappointed in Senate Committee Action to Drill in Gulf
WASHINGTONCongressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) today expressed his disappointment after the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a bipartisan bill that included allowing new drilling in at least 3 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico.
"I wish I could say today's bipartisan action was shocking, but I've been warning about this for more than a year," Diaz-Balart said. "Florida is facing a large bipartisan tide for offshore drilling in the House and Senate, and that is why we need a permanent, state-controlled ban on drilling around the entire state - the sooner the better. Floridians should decide what happens in Florida's waters.
"Late last year, several Florida House Members negotiated a plan that was nearly identical to the Martinez-Nelson bill," Diaz-Balart continued. "It would have codified a permanent ban more than 225 miles from our shores and given the state control of our waters. Unfortunately, some people decided to torpedo the deal, so now we have to keep fighting. I am still hopeful that we can get this issue resolved."
http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/news/2006news/030806_senateoffshore.htm