Issue Position: Expanding Access to American Energy Resources

Issue Position

In the 112th Congress, I am working hard to decrease our dependence on foreign energy, create jobs, lower gasoline prices, and protect our national security. Recently, I co-sponsored bills to increase energy production offshore and on federal lands. These bills include the Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act, and the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. I am proud to co-sponsor these bills and recently passed out of the House of Representatives.

Today, limited offshore drilling provides the nation with 30 percent of its domestic oil production and 21 percent of its domestic natural gas production. I believe the best approach to ensuring our continued access to affordable energy is to pass a balanced, long-term energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil while preserving the environment.

It is my firm belief that any drilling must be conducted with the utmost care for our environment. Offshore drilling should be part of a much larger policy, including fuel alternatives, to achieve energy independence. While doing this, we must be diligent in enforcing laws to prevent another disaster, like the British Petroleum disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, in a safe and responsible manner.

Source