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Congressmen Gaetz & Rooney Declare Victory after Trump Administration Blocks Drilling off Florida Coast

January 10, 2018

Washington, D.C. — Congressmen Matt Gaetz (FL-01) and Francis Rooney (FL-19) today issued the following statement declaring victory over the Trump administration's announcement that it would be disbanding oil drilling off the coast of Florida.


"I am deeply pleased that Secretary Zinke will no longer pursue oil drilling off the Florida coast, which would have been disastrous to Florida's economy, the environment, and, most importantly, to the readiness of America's armed forces. Governor Scott's strong leadership on this issue and President Trump's swift response were commendable, and I am proud that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle could unite to protect the Sunshine State. In my one-on-one talks with President Trump, I brought up the dire risk that coastal oil drilling would pose to national security, and he was greatly receptive to my concerns. The guarantee that drilling off the Florida coast will not happen during President Trump's tenure is a tremendous victory for Florida and for its people," Rep. Gaetz said.

"Thank you to President Trump and Secretary Zinke, for listening to the people of Florida. Last evenings decision to remove our state from the administration's offshore drilling plan is a good start — but my ultimate goal is still a permanent ban on offshore drilling and seismic testing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico," said Rep. Rooney.


Earlier last week, Rep. Gaetz voiced his concerns in response to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke's announcement that the White House will be reversing the current law set in place and allow offshore drilling for crude oil and natural gas off the coast of Florida.

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