[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12281]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PROPOSED OFFSHORE DRILLING LEASE SALE PLAN

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2012

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss today's vote on 
the bill to approve and implement the Obama administration's offshore 
drilling plan. Holding this vote today was a political stunt by the 
Republican majority--nothing more. No committees have reviewed the 
plan, and it was brought to the floor without any consideration.
  The Obama Administration's plan would supplant the Bush 
Administration's plan which is currently in place and I voted for the 
bill today, not wanting to play political games with our environment. 
Despite any reservations I have with the details of the Obama 
Administration's plan, the current administration correctly excluded 
lease sales in the Atlantic, Pacific or North Aleutian Basin. The 
Republicans offered an alternative plan that would, without question, 
cause significant harm to the environment. Voting yes today on this 
better package was the right thing to do.
  Protecting our environment is not a game. Today I voted to move us 
forward from the terrible environmental policies of the previous 
administration, and I will continue to advocate and vote for stronger 
environmental protections.

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