Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020
Floor Speech
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my straightforward, commonsense amendment to the Interior-Environment appropriations bill that would prevent BOEM from issuing permits for seismic exploration in the Atlantic Ocean.
South Carolinians have made it explicitly clear where we stand on this issue. Far too much is at stake in our State. South Carolina's tourism economy is worth $22.6 billion a year, and two-thirds of that comes from the coast.
While folks may disagree about the amount of oil deposits that exist in the Atlantic Ocean, most would agree that the amount of oil off the coast of South Carolina is minimal and far less than the amount of revenue that the State brings in from tourism, recreation, and commercial fishing.
Put simply, the people of the Lowcountry understand that the risk isn't worth the reward. Or, as may grandmother said: ``The juice ain't worth the squeeze.''
Our beaches, our economy are not for sale.
And it is not just South Carolina that feels this way. It is Florida. It is Virginia. It is New Hampshire. It is North Carolina. It is Pennsylvania. It is New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. From coast to coast, communities have made it clear that they do not want to put the marine ecosystems and their coastal livelihoods at risk, which is why so many of my colleagues from all over the country have joined me in sponsoring this amendment.
Seismic exploration is incredibly dangerous in its own right. Seismic air guns create an underwater blast louder than all but military-grade explosives. Companies fire air guns as often as every 10 seconds for days, weeks, to months on end. This can have impacts across the entire ecosystem, from marine mammals to fish to plankton.
But beyond that, seismic exploration is a major step towards this administration's ultimate goal of seeing drilling rigs up and down the Atlantic coast. High-ranking officials have said it clear as day: The only reason they are working so hard on these seismic permits is so they can open up the Atlantic to drilling by the highest bidder.
Drilling in the Atlantic would put the health of our ocean and our coastal economy at risk, and it is a massive investment in a future of dirty and dangerous offshore drilling that an overwhelming majority of people from both parties all along the Atlantic Coast oppose. I stand with them in opposition to both seismic testing and oil drilling. Far too much is at stake.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, respectfully, I would disagree with Mr. Gosar. South Carolinians have the opportunity to say what goes on off of South Carolina's coast. Voters have made it very clear on this issue.
This is not Democrat or a Republican issue. This is an issue that has been supported by Republican Governor McMaster, who has made it clear that he opposes offshore drilling.
I would ask that my conservative Members of this body, that that conservative idealogy also translates to conserving our natural resources, and for that idea of federalism to extend to offshore drilling so that States have a say. And States have spoken in South Carolina, and other States as well.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues, again, especially my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, the Republicans, who have supported this amendment and who have supported H.R. 1941, as well. I thank my colleagues, my conservatives, who support conservation.
Mr. Chair, I would urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this bipartisan commonsense amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I want to recognize the great work of Chairwoman McCollum in finding ways to increase funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The chairwoman and members of the committee have shown a strong commitment to this important program, and I applaud their efforts.
One of the first things that Congress did was pass into law the bipartisan lands package, which permanently authorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This demonstrated what we can achieve when we work together on behalf of our constituents.
LWCF not only promotes access to our public lands, but helps ensure all Americans can utilize these publicly owned resources. It is important that we build off that bipartisan work by making sure that this important program receives the funding it deserves in our final spending bill.
LWCF provides hundreds of millions of dollars to States that are challenged with coastal erosion, loss of open space, and trying to balance a need to protect species habitat with urban growth demands.
It also supports our States and communities by funding stateside programs that promote recreation, responsible community development, and provide opportunities to get Americans outdoors.
When LWCF was created, it was agreed that funding from oil and gas development would be used to achieve conservation objectives across the country. This program balances resource development with conservation and opens access to our public lands for hunters, anglers, and back country users.
I strongly support LWCF, and I appreciate the efforts my colleagues have made to secure the future of this program. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in support of my amendment, as well as the underlying bill.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlemen from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), my esteemed colleague.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for their commitment to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and for joining me in offering this commonsense amendment.
Mr. Chair, I would urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
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