Scalise: Administration’s Failure to Lift Moratorium Threatens Thousands More Jobs

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today issued the following statement after the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced two new rules governing the offshore oil and gas industry. In his announcement, Secretary Salazar did not address the suspension of deepwater drilling activity or the de-facto shallow water moratorium.

“While we all agree on the need to increase safety, the Administration’s failure to lift the moratorium will actually decrease safety in the offshore industry and will lead to thousands of additional job losses on top of the 12,000 jobs that have been lost due to President Obama’s reckless policy,” Scalise said. “Louisiana’s workers have dealt with uncertainty for four long months, and it is time for President Obama to stop playing political games with our livelihoods and stop adding to the problems we are facing in Louisiana.”

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Contact: Stephen Bell
202-226-9113