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Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Date: May 14, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. HUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition not to H.R. 7659 or the United States Coast Guard but to a provision inside this bill that will decimate offshore oil and gas production in the United States as we know it.

Section 346 of this bill will impose such burdensome regulations on crews of foreign-flagged vessels that they would cease drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Within 90 days of enactment, offshore oil and gas production will come to an abrupt halt. Let me repeat that. Within 90 days of this provision's enactment, American oil and gas production will cease in the Gulf of Mexico.

The vessels and crews used in this industry are highly specialized and complex and require foreign workers. As it stands, there are not enough American mariners sufficiently trained to conduct such complex offshore work.

The systems used on these vessels take years of training and experience to operate and maintain. Anything short of precision could result in catastrophic outcomes.

Many of you know that I am America First through and through, I am a veteran through and through, but I am also realistic.

Foreign-flagged vessels and crews are used because the United States simply lacks U.S.-flagged vessels or trained crews to work in this specialized area.

This manning and crewing provision will put the United States at a competitive disadvantage and will drive up prices for American families.

I have said it before and I will say it again, American offshore oil and gas operators produce the world's cleanest barrels of oil and gas. We should be producing more oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico, not less.

This provision will cause the U.S. to produce less energy, allowing other countries to step into that void.

Let's not cede the advantages that America possesses to other nations that will produce dirtier barrels of oil and natural gas, increase the financial burden on Americans, and use the proceeds to undermine our national security and our way of life.

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