Congressman Matt Gaetz Votes Against Halting Military Mission in Northwest Florida

Statement

Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) released the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives voting on the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, which included language to abolish the moratorium on new oil and gas drilling leases off Florida's coast:

"Today I voted against the "American Energy Independence from Russia Act.' While we should take steps to expand domestic production of energy by reauthorizing the Keystone XL Pipeline and allowing land-based drilling and fracking, this legislation contains a poison pill -- and actually helps Russia.

It would abolish the moratorium on new oil and gas drilling leases off Florida's coast. It would harm Northwest Florida's military mission. It would impair the research, development, testing, and evaluation work that allows our military to maintain a qualitative edge over Russia, China, and the world. It would be foolish to respond to Russia's aggression by rendering America less capable to defeat Russia or anyone else.

As I stated recently at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference, we must expand America's access to natural resources. But launching experimental missiles over oil rigs is as dumb as dumb gets," said Rep. Gaetz.

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