[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 522 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 522

     Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
production of oil and natural gas is essential to the economy and well-
 being of the United States, and that addressing energy needs requires 
                    cooperation instead of coercion.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 25, 2019

  Mr. Abraham (for himself, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. 
 Johnson of Louisiana, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Scalise, and Mr. 
Marshall) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
production of oil and natural gas is essential to the economy and well-
 being of the United States, and that addressing energy needs requires 
                    cooperation instead of coercion.

Whereas public leaders have attempted to coerce damages from energy companies 
        with frivolous lawsuits and investigations, including--

    (1) on July 24, 2013, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection 
Authority-East filed lawsuits against nearly 100 energy companies, alleging 
liability for flooding in New Orleans;

    (2) on April 7, 2016, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and his 
administration joined in 39 lawsuits against energy companies, alleging 
liability for damages to the coast of Louisiana;

    (3) on September 21, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards sent letters to 16 
Louisiana parishes directing them to file similar lawsuits against energy 
companies for alleged damages; 4 additional parishes have since joined the 
lawsuits; and

    (4) on March 29, 2019, the city of New Orleans filed lawsuits against 
11 energy companies, alleging liability for damages to the coast of 
Louisiana;

Whereas these actions are not in the spirit of good governance;
Whereas these actions create more problems than they intend to fix;
Whereas these unseemly tactics are nothing more than a cynical attempt to use 
        the power of government to shake down energy companies in order to fund 
        public works;
Whereas these actions deter the safe development of the vast natural resources 
        of the United States, and hinder economic growth;
Whereas the United States has thrived and tackled its greatest challenges by 
        fostering a cooperative spirit with business and industry;
Whereas Federal revenues generated from mineral production contribute to the 
        conservation and preservation of national parks and other public lands;
Whereas without the revenues generated by oil and gas production, coastal 
        restoration projects in Louisiana would not be possible;
Whereas the oil and natural gas industries are responsible for millions of 
        American jobs and for adding trillions of dollars to the economy;
Whereas the production of oil and natural gas has provided affordable and 
        reliable sources of energy to billions of people around the world;
Whereas American innovation and ingenuity has made the United States the 
        greatest energy producer in the world; and
Whereas increased production of domestic energy sources is vital to American 
        energy independence, national security, and the economy: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the production of oil and natural gas is critical to 
        the continued prosperity of the United States economy, its 
        national security, and its people;
            (2) the Federal Government and public leaders throughout 
        the United States should promote policies that encourage 
        greater energy production and independence; and
            (3) public leaders should work in a spirit of good faith 
        and cooperation with energy producers to address the energy 
        needs and problems facing the United States, rather than in a 
        spirit of coercion and division.
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