House votes to protect our oceans from offshore drilling

Two bills to prevent drilling pass with bipartisan support

Environment America

WASHINGTON — In a victory for our oceans, the U.S. House of Representatives approved two bills to prevent drilling off the coasts of the Atlantic, Pacific and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. These votes will protect marine ecosystems and coastal communities from the dangers of offshore drilling. 

The bills, Rep. Joe Cunningham’s Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act and Rep. Francis Rooney’s Protecting and Securing Florida’s Coastline Act, both passed with bipartisan support.

Kelsey Lamp, ocean advocate with Environment America, issued the following statement:

“Today, the House has drawn a line in the sand: It’s not worth jeopardizing magnificent marine animals — whales, dolphins and sea turtles — and our coastal communities in the pursuit of oil we increasingly don’t need. Whenever and wherever we drill, we put our marine life and our pristine beaches at risk of a toxic spill.  

“It’s fantastic to see bipartisan support in the House for protecting our oceans. In an era where renewable energy is on the rise, and where our oceans are feeling the increasingly acute effects of global warming and drilling, we need our decision-makers to safeguard our nation’s waters. 

“Americans of all political stripes want to keep our beaches oil-free, experience the wonder of seeing whales, and pass on a cleaner, healthier ocean to our children. We encourage the Senate to pick up and pass the legislation.”