Last week, I voted to pass three bills out of the House of Representatives that would protect the coasts of Connecticut, and our nation, from the devastating impact of offshore oil and gas drilling.
Offshore drilling releases toxic chemicals into the ocean, risks spills when oil and gas are transported back to shore, and threatens the health of our oceans, animals, and coastal economies that benefit from thriving tourism and fishing industries.
Yet, this Administration has proposed opening up 90% of our federal waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans to the oil and gas industry. I was proud to stand up last week to protect Connecticut's coast and America's environment from the threats of offshore gas and oil extraction.
I voted for H.R. 1941, the Coastal Marine Economies Protection Act, which would prohibit oil and gas leases off the coast of Connecticut, H.R. 1146, the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act, and H.R. 205, the Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act. All three of these bills were passed out of the House of Representatives and now await action in the Senate.
Earlier this year, I also supported a provision for Fiscal Year 2020 that would prevent the Department of the Interior from spending money on drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. No less importantly, I cosponsored H.R. 287, the New England Coastal Protection Act, which would prohibit the Department of the Interior from issuing leases for oil and gas drilling off the coast of Connecticut and other New England states. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make progress on this critical issue.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. To keep up with my work in Congress, sign up for my e-newsletter here!
Sincerely,
Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress