[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 10402]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                 ENERGY

  (Mrs. ELLMERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration has moved our 
country backwards in terms of energy production.
  The de facto moratorium on offshore drilling is causing a significant 
decline in American energy production. When President Obama took 
office, these offshore areas were open to drilling and production. 
Since that time, President Obama has taken steps to effectively 
reimpose an offshore drilling ban.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of common sense. Failure to develop our 
offshore energy resources is increasing our dependence on foreign 
sources of oil and denying much-needed revenue to help pay down the 
national debt. But, most importantly, it is costing us American jobs.
  We have an abundant supply of natural resources off of our shores. 
Common sense dictates the use of our own resources to meet our energy 
needs.
  I cosponsored and voted in favor of H.R. 1231, Reversing President 
Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. Not surprisingly, the Senate has 
failed to consider this bill.
  We will continue to push for access to our energy resources.

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