[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 123 (Tuesday, July 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3077-S3078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 900. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2024 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 in subtitle G of title X, insert 
     the following:

     SEC. 10____. MORATORIUM ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN CERTAIN 
                   AREAS OF GULF OF MEXICO.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Military mission line.--The term ``Military Mission 
     Line'' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the 
     Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 
     note; Public Law 109-432).
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (b) Moratorium.--Effective during the period beginning on 
     the date of enactment of this Act and ending on June 30, 
     2032, the Secretary shall not offer for leasing, preleasing, 
     or any related activity for energy development of any kind--

[[Page S3078]]

       (1) any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf 
     of Mexico; or
       (2) any area of the outer Continental Shelf described in 
     subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (2) of subsection 
     (d), if oil, gas, wind, or any other form of energy 
     exploration, leasing, or development in that area has been 
     identified in a report under that subsection as having any 
     adverse effect on the national security of the United States 
     or the military readiness or testing capabilities of the 
     Department of Defense.
       (c) Environmental Exceptions.--Notwithstanding subsection 
     (b), 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.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and not later than June 30, 2031, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations and Armed Services of the Senate and the 
     Committees on Appropriations and Armed Services of the House 
     of Representatives a report that describes the impact of oil, 
     gas, wind, and any other form of energy exploration, leasing, 
     or development in areas of the outer Continental Shelf 
     described in paragraph (2) on the national security of the 
     United States and the military readiness and testing 
     capabilities of the Department of Defense.
       (2) Areas described.--The areas of the outer Continental 
     Shelf referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
       (A) Any area west of the Military Mission Line in the 
     Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.
       (B) The South Atlantic Planning Area.
       (C) The Straits of Florida Planning Area.
                                 ______