[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 4344. Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. Scott of Florida) submitted 
an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3867 submitted by 
Mr. Reed and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 4350, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2022 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. _____. MORATORIUM ON OIL AND GAS LEASING OFF THE COASTS 
                   OF THE STATES OF FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND SOUTH 
                   CAROLINA.

       Section 104 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 
     2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109-432) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``June 30, 2022'' and inserting ``June 30, 2032'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (C) in paragraph (3)(B)(iii), by striking the period at the 
     end and inserting a semicolon; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) any area in the South Atlantic Planning Area (as 
     designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as of the 
     date of enactment of this paragraph); or
       ``(5) any area in the Straits of Florida Planning Area (as 
     designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as of the 
     date of enactment of this paragraph).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Effect on Certain Leases.--The moratoria under 
     paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (a) shall not affect 
     valid existing leases in effect on the date of enactment of 
     this subsection.
       ``(e) Environmental Exceptions.--Notwithstanding subsection 
     (a), the Secretary may issue leases in areas described in 
     that subsection for environmental conservation purposes, 
     including the purposes of shore protection, beach nourishment 
     and restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat 
     protection.''.
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