Gulf range moratorium to Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill by a 248-180 vote establishing a permanent moratorium on oil and gas exploration in a swath of the eastern Gulf of Mexico that would include the 120,000 square miles Eglin (AFB, Fla.) Gulf Test and Training Range. Under current law, the moratorium against O&G exploration was to expire in mid-2022. The bill, passed Sept. 11, now heads to the Senate for consideration. The Gulf Text and Training Range is overseen by Eglin’s 96th Test Wing, and used by all of the military. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who represents NW Florida, and Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), who represents the Tyndall AFB area, were two of only 22 Republicans who voted in favor of the bill; 174 Republicans were opposed. The bill got 222 affirmative Democrat votes. Five Democrats and one Independent voted against it. (Source: NW Florida Daily News 09/11/19) https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20190911/house-oks-permanent-oil-moratorium-in-part-of-gulf