Skip to main content

Congressman Matt Gaetz Joins Florida Delegation in Letter to Sec. Mattis, Asking to Protect Florida Coast from Energy Exploration

January 22, 2018


Washington, D.C. โ€” On Friday, January 19th, 2018, Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) joined the entire Florida delegation from both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, urging him to ensure that any proposed energy exploration off Florida's coast would not affect military readiness and training.

The letter details Florida's "strategically-vital military activity and training areas," and requests that the Department of Defense evaluate any future plans for coastal energy exploration, to ensure that America's military readiness is not adversely affected in any way.

"I am glad that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognize the threat to America's military readiness and national security posed by energy exploration off the coast of Florida. While I was deeply relieved at Secretary Zinke's recent announcement that Florida would be โ€˜off the table' for new drilling, the possibility of other coastal testing, including seismic air gun blasting, is extremely concerning to all of us who serve the Sunshine State. While American energy independence is a worthy goal, it cannot come at the cost of our national security. I am confident that Secretary Mattis will recognize the profound importance of Florida's military testing and training areas for our armed forces, and I look forward to working with him to ensure these mission-critical areas are not jeopardized in any way by energy exploration efforts," Rep. Gaetz said.

To view the letter in its entirety, click HERE.