RICHMOND SCORES WIN TO BRING DEEPWATER HORIZON FINES TO GULF STATES

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) and Congressman Steve Scalise (LA-01) were successful in securing the adoption of amendment to H.R. 3408, the “Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act,” that would dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act penalties associated with the Deepwater Horizon disaster to the Gulf States.  The amendment passed by voice vote.

After debate on the amendment, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) released the following statement on the legislative victory:

“This amendment is an important part of what will continue to be a strong, bipartisan effort to bring 80 percent of the fines from the Deepwater Horizon disaster to the Gulf states,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond.  “There is no question about whether the Gulf Coast will be restored.  Because of the dire national security and economic impacts, it must happen.  The Gulf States only want the means to help themselves, but delaying these funds will only make this critical restoration more expensive.”

H.R. 3408 passed the full House of Representatives by a vote of 237 – 187.  It will be sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration.