[Page H5162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           OFFSHORE DRILLING

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have taken their 
appalling assault on New Jersey to new lows: The Natural Resources 
Committee is considering legislation that would penalize States like 
New Jersey, where Governor Murphy and our people have had the courage 
and foresight to block drilling in State waters.
  What House Republicans don't realize is that New Jerseyans will never 
be blackmailed into accepting drilling miles away from our $38 billion-
a-year tourism industry. We know the damage that the BP oil spill did 
to communities on the Gulf Coast, and we will stop at nothing to 
prevent it off New Jersey's waters.
  The Trump administration offered the largest offshore drilling plan 
we have ever seen last year, but even the President understands the 
true dangers of drilling. We know this because he excluded drilling off 
Florida waters at the request of his political allies there.
  Republicans understand the risk of offshore drilling, yet they are 
all too happy to subject coastal communities throughout our country to 
the risk.
  So much, Mr. Speaker, for State rights.
  Mr. Speaker, New Jerseyans have a long memory, and we will never 
forget this assault on our economy and our way of life.

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