CBC Opposes Offshore Oil Money For New Orleans

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) voted 29 to 9 against the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (H.R. 4761) to provide for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources on the outer Continental Shelf. Louisiana now receives less than 2 percent of royalties from oil and natural gas produced in the Gulf. The Senate and House passed bills that would give Louisiana and other Gulf states more - 37.5 percent under the Senate bill, 50 to 75 percent under the House bill.

If some of the proposed offshore oil royalty money is going to be used for rebuilding New Orleans, particularly the 9th Ward, then the CBC is hurting that effort by voting against the legislation. They will have another chance with the conference report. Maybe they can get a conferee to put a line item in there specifically for the 9th Ward. CBC members voting FOR the measure include: 1) Sanford Bishop (2-GA), 2) ArturDavis (7-AL), 3) Harold Ford, Jr. (9-TN), 4) Al Green (9-TX), 5) Jesse Jackson, Jr. (2-IL), 6) Sheila Jackson-Lee (15-TX) 7) William Jefferson (2-LA), 8) Eddie Bernice Johnson (30-TX), 9) Bennie Thompson (2 MS),.