Brady To Strongly Urge Panel To End Drilling Moratoriums

The moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the undeniable de facto moratorium in shallow waters are costing thousands of American jobs, and will create grave and permanent harm to workers and businesses if either is allowed to continue. U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), the Senior House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, is using his testimony to the Houston Forum on Offshore Drilling to strongly urge BOEM Director Michael Bromwich restore responsible, timely permitting of rigs in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and to immediately end the deepwater moratorium.

"Let our workers return to work and allow our businesses to again safely explore for and produce affordable energy for American families and companies," said Brady. "It’s unacceptable that the Obama administration reinstated the drilling moratorium after the federal courts had struck it down, especially in the wake of revelations that the White House knew in advance it would force over 23,000 American energy workers out of their jobs and into the unemployment line.”

"I find it equally troubling that President Obama has refused to accept an official congressional invitation to travel to Houston to meet face-to-face with energy workers and businesses in Texas impacted by his moratorium," added Brady. "Don’t the jobs of our energy workers matter? What about the small and independent businesses that will not survive the shallow and deep water moratoriums - isn’t anyone in the White House listening to them?"

"The BOEM sessions begin at nine a.m. Tuesday at the Crown Plaza Hotel at 1700 Smith Street in downtown Houston. The event is open to the public, but public comments are only being accepted online."