Cassidy Slams Senate Coastal Restoration Cuts

Statement

Today, Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) sent a letter with Congressman Steve Scalise to the Senate Appropriations Committee calling on them to rescind cuts to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.

The RESTORE Act authorizes federal spending from the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, which is funded by administrative and civil penalties collected from parties responsible for the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil spill. The RESTORE Act was designed to support economic and ecological projects, including coastal restoration projects in south Louisiana. Congressman Cassidy released the following statement:

"The cuts to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund undermine the RESTORE Act and harm Louisiana families and small businesses," said Congressman Cassidy. "Coastal restoration projects are vital for maintaining industries relied upon by American consumers. Our ports and our energy resources create jobs and lower gas prices throughout the country. These industries, and the workers who support them, are threatened by coastal erosion.

"It is irresponsible to cut these funds, especially when Congress is statutorily required to use them for coastal restoration by the RESTORE Act. Senate Democrats, who as the majority will decide whether these funds survive, must comply with the law and support Louisiana's coast."

Additionally, Mr. Garret Graves, Chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, gave the following statement:

"The BP oil spill is the worst in our nation's history and little has been done to actually address widespread damages. The federal government has already taken their cut -- they have retained hundreds of millions of dollars in BP funds. This is a disaster in the Gulf, not a profit-making venture for the U.S. Treasury. We strongly urge the Senate to find another bill payer."

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