Offshore Drilling

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have taken their appalling assault on New Jersey to new lows: The Natural Resources Committee is considering legislation that would penalize States like New Jersey, where Governor Murphy and our people have had the courage and foresight to block drilling in State waters.

What House Republicans don't realize is that New Jerseyans will never be blackmailed into accepting drilling miles away from our $38 billion- a-year tourism industry. We know the damage that the BP oil spill did to communities on the Gulf Coast, and we will stop at nothing to prevent it off New Jersey's waters.

The Trump administration offered the largest offshore drilling plan we have ever seen last year, but even the President understands the true dangers of drilling. We know this because he excluded drilling off Florida waters at the request of his political allies there.

Republicans understand the risk of offshore drilling, yet they are all too happy to subject coastal communities throughout our country to the risk.

So much, Mr. Speaker, for State rights.

Mr. Speaker, New Jerseyans have a long memory, and we will never forget this assault on our economy and our way of life.

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