WASHINGTON — Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise can't wait to take colleagues on an offshore rig this week so they can see firsthand how important drilling is to Gulf Coast states.
"It's one thing to pull up at a gas station and pump gasoline, but to actually see how that oil is brought out the ground — it's really eye-opening," said Scalise, who will lead a two-day congressional tour of the Gulf Coast. "It puts more focus on that battle that's happening in Washington."
For Scalise, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the timing couldn't be better. Debate is intensifying over moves to increase offshore oil production and drive down soaring gas prices.
This week, the Senate will consider a Democratic bill to eliminate tax breaks for big oil companies and possibly a Republican measure to speed issuance of offshore drilling permits.
House lawmakers already have approved three Republican bills that would speed the permit process and require federal officials to conduct four oil and gas lease sales and develop a five-year offshore leasing plan in areas with potential oil or gas resources.
Republicans say more exploration is key to U.S. oil independence. They also say the bills would create thousands of jobs, particularly in the Gulf Coast region.
Democrats and environmental groups argue the House measures put speed ahead of safety. They say Republicans have amnesia about last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill that devastated the region's economy and ecosystem.
"If the BP Gulf disaster taught us anything, it is that we should not take steps to make offshore drilling less safe," said Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the House Democratic whip.
President Barack Obama also opposes the measures, which some experts say stand little chance of becoming law.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, introduced similar legislation Wednesday.
"Our bill would simply return American offshore production to where it was before this administration locked it up, require federal bureaucrats to process permits rather than endlessly sitting on them, and improve offshore safety," McConnell said.
