[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 69 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H3055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE PRESIDENT'S RECORD ON OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DRILLING

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, the President recently said that he 
unambiguously opposes oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida, 
but 2 years ago, he proposed weakening the very law that Florida and 
California used to protect their valuable coastlines from new drilling.
  Then the President threw his support behind an energy bill that 
undermines the bipartisan agreement against new drilling off Florida, 
California and other coastal States.
  Now the President is considering a report from the National Petroleum 
Council, a group composed mainly of energy executives, which has 
recommended drilling off Florida, California and coastal States.
  Mr. Speaker, these actions show how out of step the President's 
policies are with coastal communities. By contrast, Senator Kerry has a 
long record opposing offshore oil drilling.
  He passed legislation to impose a moratorium on drilling in the Outer 
Continental Shelf, blocking oil and gas companies from drilling in 
environmentally sensitive areas; and he has sought long-term solutions 
that make sense for energy development and that balance environmental 
protection and economic growth.
  Mr. Speaker, the President should be supporting policies to protect 
our valuable coastal communities. In short, he should be doing what 
Senator Kerry is doing.

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