Florida's Bipartisan opposition to offshore oil drilling grows

The many bipartisan congressional voice of opposition to President Donald Trump’s move to consider drilling for oil off the coast of Florida could not be any louder, as just every member of congress from the state have now opened up on the issue.

Reps. Stephanie Murphy, Francis Rooney, Daniel Webster, Carlos Curbelo, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, have lead the way, and support expanding the oil drilling moratorium that expires in 2022.

Rep. Charlie Crist (D) says he “vehemently” opposes drilling off Florida’s coast and Rooney, who has been butting heads with House GOP leadership over drilling, says that he will fight the administration tooth and nail.

Here are what some of these legislators are saying:

“I strongly oppose the Administration’s plan to open nearly all federal waters to oil and gas drilling, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico and areas off Florida’s Atlantic coast.  I will work across party lines in Congress to prevent this plan from taking effect, because it would harm quality of life in Florida, our state’s unique natural resources, jobs in our tourism-reliant economy, and the military training ranges that are essential to our nation’s security.”-Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D)

“Given Florida’s gulf coast is a world-renowned tourist attraction and the base of important military training and weapons testing, I have long opposed drilling off Florida’s Gulf Coast. This plan underscores the critical need to renew the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area moratorium that expires in 2022. I have expressed my opposition to opening these waters to drilling to Secretary Zinke.  I look forward to continuing to work with him and my colleagues in Florida Delegation to extend the moratorium and protect Florida’s unique ecosystem.”-Rep. Daniel Webster (R)

“The people of Florida and its leaders have made it clear over and over again: We do not want drilling near our shores, we do not want to put our beautiful beaches and environmental treasures at risk. We simply have too much to lose. The Administration has guaranteed that states will ‘have a voice.’ Together with my colleagues, I will make sure Florida's voice is heard loud and clear."-Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R)