[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      GULF OF MEXICO DRILLING BILL

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                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the underlying bill. 
Once again the Republican Congress has used this horrendous martial law 
process to ram a bill through on the last day of session.
  It is unclear what exactly is in this bill because none of us have 
had a chance to actually read it.
  We do know at least that it represents a last ditch attempt by the 
Republican Congress to sell out to their friends in the oil and gas 
industry. This time they want to open up the Outer Continental Shelf in 
the Gulf of Mexico to new drilling--supposedly so they can help the 
Gulf Coast rebuild.
  Are we really so cynical as to tie assistance for the gulf coast 
areas ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma to new oil and gas 
drilling? Are we really going to equate the welfare of Big Oil 
companies to the needs of hurricane survivors?
  It seems like every time we open the newspaper or turn on the news 
these days, the oil industry is announcing another record profit. Yet 
here they are again, hat in hand begging for another giveaway. Do they 
really need our help?
  I firmly believe that we have a moral responsibility to help the gulf 
coast rebuild, but we should not condition any assistance on the future 
revenues of Big Oil.
  If we really wanted to help the gulf coast, we should've been 
debating and passing H.R. 4197, the Hurricane Katrina Recovery, 
Reclamation, Restoration, Reconstruction and Reunion Act of 2005, 
introduced by the Congressional Black Caucus last year.
  If we really wanted to stop our addiction to oil and produce a real 
national energy strategy we wouldn't be debating this sham idea to open 
the gulf to new drilling.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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