01.10.18

Committee Advances a Republican Oil and Gas Giveaway Bill, Despite Democratic Protests

Washington, D.C. – Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the Streamlining Environmental Approvals or SEA Act (H.R. 3133) to the House floor. The bill was passed by voice vote today, but Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) stated that he still strongly opposes the bill and will continue to fight to stop the bill from passing on the House floor.

“My position on the SEA Act remains the same, it’s a dangerous bill that was solely written to fulfill the oil and gas industries wish list,” Grijalva said. “No one supports this bill other than big industries that will profit from more drilling. Republicans should be listening to the scientists who support keeping the Marine Mammal Protection Act in place, the coastal communities who oppose opening our oceans to drilling, and the government officials who say this will add undue burden on the federal agencies. I fought to kill this bill in Committee and will continue to fight to ensure this bill dies on the House floor.”  

The following three amendments offered on the SEA Act by Democrats were rejected by the majority of Republicans: 

  • Representative Barragan’s Amendment (#002): The committee voted 17-20 against protecting coastal communities along the Pacific from the harmful impacts of the bill. All Committee Democrats present voted in favor of the amendment, while all Committee Republicans present voted against it, including California Representatives McClintock and Denham.
  • Representative Beyer’s Amendment (#003): The committee voted 17-19 against protecting coastal communities along the Atlantic from the harmful impacts of the bill. All Committee Democrats present voted in favor of the amendment, while all Committee Republicans present voted against it.

The five federal lands bills were passed by unanimous consent.

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