From Congressman Michael McCaul
I support a full investigation to prevent future disasters and hold those who are responsible fully accountable. Unfortunately federal bureaucracy has delayed assistance from reaching those on the ground and has even prevented aid from the Netherlands and other allies who have the necessary equipment to help clean up this spill.
We must cut through the bureaucracy and use every tool at our disposal.
Our first priority must be to clean up the environmental damage caused by this spill and to make whole again those whose livelihoods and property have been harmed. Americas beaches and wetlands must be restored to protect our sensitive environment and those who live and work on the Gulf Coast.
However I believe this can and should be done while exploration continues. The Gulf of Mexico supplies 30 of our nations oil and gas.
Six months from now these rigs will have permanently relocated to waters off Brazil Venezuela Africa and the Middle East if they are not allowed to operate here.
Lift drilling ban
I am sponsoring a bill that Rep. Pete Olson is introducing this week to repeal the moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. As horrible as this spill
is shutting down 33 rigs will only compound this tragic environmental
devastation with an economic disaster for Texas and other Gulf states.
It is estimated that tens of thousands of jobs and $2 billion in wages will be lost if the moratorium continues.
On Saturday I joined Reps Olson Kevin Brady and Joe Barton at a press conference in Dallas. We hosted several oilfield support businesses who told us they have already begun to layoff workers and that millions of dollars worth of their equipment was already returned to shore.
Cap & Trade effects
I agree with the President that our focus must be on cleanup and accountability. However this horrendous spill aside Cap and Trade legislation that the President continues to pursue remains bad policy for the United States.
A national energy tax will not get the spill cleaned up any faster. It will only serve to drive up the cost of oil and gas and the expenses of any business or individual that uses those fuels. One day America will operate largely on alternative energy but were not there yet.
Develop Alternative Energy
I continue to support the accelerated development of alternative fuels including wind solar nuclear and clean coal as part of an all of the above strategy that will
be necessary to achieve Americas longterm energy independence.
However the fact is America will remain reliant on oil and gas for decades and expanding domestic exploration and production on and offshore in an environmentally responsible manner is absolutely necessary.
This short-sighted moratorium only increases our dangerous dependence on foreign oil threatening our economy and our national security.
Job Fair!
Congressman McCaul will be hosting a Job Fair on September 1 2010 at the Merrill Center in Katy TX. He is looking for employers interested in participating.
The Job Fair will feature employers from across the district state and nation.
If you are an employer looking for qualified candidates please contact our Austin district office at (512) 473-2357.
Last week Americans decided to reform Fannie May and Freddie Mac which could have generated savings of $30 billion. Unfortunately Democrats defeated our latest spending cut on the House floor.
