2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For Ending Oil And Gas Leasing In The Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge Area Of Alaska. In September 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "repeal existing law authorizing an Interior Department
program for the leasing, development, and transportation of oil and gas
in and from the coastal plane of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It
would also require the Interior Department to collect inspection fees
from certain oil and gas facilities operating on the outer Continental
Shelf and set annual levels and schedules for fees collected from
facilities above the waterline, drilling rigs, and non-rig units. Such
fees would be deposited into a Treasury Department ocean energy safety
fund established under the bill's provisions, with funds to be made
available through annual appropriations acts to carry out inspections of
outer Continental Shelf facilities." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 225-193. [House Vote 530,
9/12/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/12/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.1146]
The Bill Blocked The Trump Administrations Plans To Expand
Offshore Drilling, Which Was Opposed By Coastal Lawmakers Who
Claimed Offshore Drilling Hurts Their Tourism And Seafood
Industries. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Trump
administration has proposed adding those areas to its offshore
leasing plan as it seeks to expand the country's energy
production. Those plans have met with resistance from coastal
lawmakers and governors from both parties who fear the damage
drilling activity could have on their tourism and seafood
industries, as well as marine life. The administration has put its
plan on hold, but lawmakers aren't taking chances. The mere specter
of oily beaches can lead to hundreds of hotel cancellations, the
lawmakers contend" [Congressional Quarterly,
9/11/19]
Rep. Jim McGovern: The Trump Administration's Proposal Would
Threaten 2.6 million Job And $180 Million In GDP. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "[Rep. Jim] McGovern said the
president's proposal would threaten an estimated 2.6 million jobs
and 180 million in gross domestic product, while harming countless
coastal ecosystems. He also noted that every east and west coast
governor, Republican and Democrat, are in favor of the bills."
[Congressional Quarterly,
9/9/19]
Republican Opponents Believed The Bill Would Be Harmful To Energy
Jobs And National Security. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Opponents of the [bill] accused the backers of trying to
hamstring U.S. energy potential, kill jobs and compromise national
security [...] Republicans who support Trump's energy goals argued
on Tuesday that the bills would cede U.S. global energy leadership
to its competitors and adversaries such as Russia." [Congressional
Quarterly, 9/11/19]
Oil And Energy Industry Groups Urged Members To Vote No.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "A letter dated September
5 signed by 22 energy groups, including the American Gas
Association, the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Oil and
Gas Association, was distributed to House offices urging a 'no' vote
on the bills. [Congressional Quarterly,
9/9/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For Ending Oil And Gas Leasing In The Atlantic
And Pacific Regions Of The Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In
September 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit the Interior Department from any
further oil and gas leasing within the Atlantic Region or Pacific Region
outer Continental Shelf planning areas. It would also require the
Interior Department to collect inspection fees from certain oil and gas
facilities operating on the outer Continental Shelf and set annual
levels and schedules for fees collected from facilities above the
waterline, drilling rigs, and non-rig units. Such fees would be
deposited into a Treasury Department ocean energy safety fund
established under the bill's provisions, with funds to be made
available through annual appropriations acts to carry out inspections of
outer Continental Shelf facilities." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 238-189. [House Vote 525,
9/11/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/11/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.1941]
The Bill Blocked The Trump Administrations Plans To Expand
Offshore Drilling, Which Was Opposed By Coastal Lawmakers Who
Claimed Offshore Drilling Hurts Their Tourism And Seafood
Industries. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Trump
administration has proposed adding those areas to its offshore
leasing plan as it seeks to expand the country's energy
production. Those plans have met with resistance from coastal
lawmakers and governors from both parties who fear the damage
drilling activity could have on their tourism and seafood
industries, as well as marine life. The administration has put its
plan on hold, but lawmakers aren't taking chances. The mere specter
of oily beaches can lead to hundreds of hotel cancellations, the
lawmakers contend" [Congressional Quarterly,
9/11/18]
Rep. Jim McGovern: The Trump Administration's Proposal Would
Threaten 2.6 million Job And $180 Million In GDP. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "[Rep. Jim] McGovern said the
president's proposal would threaten an estimated 2.6 million jobs
and 180 million in gross domestic product, while harming countless
coastal ecosystems. He also noted that every east and west coast
governor, Republican and Democrat, are in favor of the bills."
[Congressional Quarterly,
9/9/19]
Republican Opponents Believed The Bill Would Be Harmful To Energy
Jobs And National Security. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Opponents of the [bill] accused the backers of trying to
hamstring U.S. energy potential, kill jobs and compromise national
security [...] Republicans who support Trump's energy goals argued
on Tuesday that the bills would cede U.S. global energy leadership
to its competitors and adversaries such as Russia." [Congressional
Quarterly, 9/11/18]
Oil And Energy Industry Groups Urged Members To Vote No.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "A letter dated September
5 signed by 22 energy groups, including the American Gas
Association, the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Oil and
Gas Association, was distributed to House offices urging a 'no' vote
on the bills. [Congressional Quarterly,
9/9/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For Ending Oil And Gas Leasing In Certain
Areas Of The Gulf Of Mexico. In September 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "permanently
extend an existing moratorium on oil and gas leasing by the Interior
Department in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico, which is currently
set to expire in June 2022. It would also require the Interior
Department to collect inspection fees from certain oil and gas
facilities operating on the outer Continental Shelf and set annual
levels and schedules for fees collected from facilities above the
waterline, drilling rigs, and non-rig units. Such fees would be
deposited into a Treasury Department ocean energy safety fund
established under the bill's provisions, with funds to be made
available through annual appropriations acts to carry out inspections of
outer Continental Shelf facilities." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 248-180. [House Vote 521,
9/11/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/11/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.205]
The Bill Blocked The Trump Administrations Plans To Expand
Offshore Drilling, Which Was Opposed By Coastal Lawmakers Who
Claimed Offshore Drilling Hurts Their Tourism And Seafood
Industries. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Trump
administration has proposed adding those areas to its offshore
leasing plan as it seeks to expand the country's energy
production. Those plans have met with resistance from coastal
lawmakers and governors from both parties who fear the damage
drilling activity could have on their tourism and seafood
industries, as well as marine life. The administration has put its
plan on hold, but lawmakers aren't taking chances. The mere specter
of oily beaches can lead to hundreds of hotel cancellations, the
lawmakers contend" [Congressional Quarterly,
9/11/18]
Rep. Jim McGovern: The Trump Administration's Proposal Would
Threaten 2.6 million Job And $180 Million In GDP. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "[Rep. Jim] McGovern said the
president's proposal would threaten an estimated 2.6 million jobs
and 180 million in gross domestic product, while harming countless
coastal ecosystems. He also noted that every east and west coast
governor, Republican and Democrat, are in favor of the bills."
[Congressional Quarterly,
9/9/19]
Florida Residents Voted Last Year For Similar Legislation That
Would Ban Offshore Drilling In The Gulf Of Mexico. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Last year, Florida residents voted to pass
a constitutional amendment banning offshore oil and gas drilling in
the state's waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico."
[Congressional Quarterly,
9/11/18]
Republican Opponents Believed The Bill Would Be Harmful To Energy
Jobs And National Security. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Opponents of the [bill] accused the backers of trying to
hamstring U.S. energy potential, kill jobs and compromise national
security [...] Republicans who support Trump's energy goals argued
on Tuesday that the bills would cede U.S. global energy leadership
to its competitors and adversaries such as Russia." [Congressional
Quarterly, 9/11/18]
Oil And Energy Industry Groups Urged Members To Vote No.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "A letter dated September
5 signed by 22 energy groups, including the American Gas
Association, the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Oil and
Gas Association, was distributed to House offices urging a 'no' vote
on the bills. [Congressional Quarterly,
9/9/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing
Appropriations To Allow For Oil And Gas Leases. In June 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment that would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "strike from the bill a prohibition on the use
of funds made available under the bill for the purpose of conducting an
oil or gas lease as required under the 2017 tax overhaul law." The vote
was on adoption of the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a
vote of 198-233. [House Vote 384,
6/20/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/20/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.441;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.3055]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Disapproving An Interior Department
Rule That Required An Archaeological Study Prior To Drilling In The
Outer Continental Shelf. In March 2025, Fitzpatrick voted against ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "the joint resolution that would
provide for congressional disapproval of, and nullify, the Interior
Department's final rule which requires oil and gas operators that wish
to explore or develop oil and natural gas resources on the Outer
Continental Shelf to conduct an archaeological study for their lease
area. The rule requires such operators to submit the study to DOI's
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management when they put forward exploration or
development plans of such resources for approval, in order to ensure
that such activities won't harm anything of historical, cultural or
archaeological significance." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 221 to 202. [House Vote 61,
3/6/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/6/25; Congressional
Actions, S.J.Res.
11]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing
Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Leasing In The Outer
Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit
the use of funds made available under the bill for the purpose of
conducting Interior Department offshore oil and gas leasing, preleasing
or related activities in the Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas for
Washington/Oregon, Northern California, Central California, and Southern
California." The vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 238-192. [House Vote 393,
6/20/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/20/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.452;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.3055]
In 2018 The Trump Administration Put Forward A Proposal To Expand
Offshore Drilling Off The U.S. Pacific And Atlantic Coasts That Has
Been Delayed Due To Litigation. According to the Center for
American Progress, "In 2018, the Trump administration put forward a
highly controversial plan to expand offshore drilling off the U.S.
Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the west coast of Florida in the Gulf
of Mexico, and Alaska. Though this drilling proposal has been
delayed as a result of litigation, coastal communities remain deeply
concerned that the administration's final decision will irreversibly
damage the health of America's coastal and marine environments."
[Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal Would Emit An Additional 46 Billion Metric Tons
Of Greenhouse Gases, Equivalent To The Yearly Emissions Of 10
Billion Cars And 3 Percent Of What Remains In The Global Carbon
Budget. According to the Center for American Progress, "The data
show that if this plan were implemented, the resulting combustion of
the additional fossil fuels extracted would add as many as 46
billion metric tons of GHG emissions to the world's atmosphere. That
is nearly seven times more than all GHG emitted by the entire United
States each year. Put another way, such an increase is the
equivalent of the yearly emissions from nearly 10 billion
cars---nine times as many cars as are on the road worldwide today
[...] The 46 billion metric tons of carbon that would be released
by Trump's plan would account for more than 3 percent of what
remains in the entire global carbon budget." [Center for American
Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal "Would Also Lead To More Than 10 Times More
Large Oil Spills," An Increase from 8 to 92 over 30 years.
According to the Center for American Progress, "According to CAP
estimates, the Trump administration drilling plan would also lead to
more than 10 times more large oil spills than the current plan
[...] Based on the spill rate associated with increased drilling
activity, the number of large oil spills---those of at least 42,000
gallons, or 1,000 barrels---would increase from eight to 92 over the
30-year course of the plan." [Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing
Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Exploration In The Outer
Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit
the use of funds made available by the bill to conduct or authorize any
geological or geophysical oil or gas exploration in areas located in
Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas for the Atlantic Region or to
prepare environmental impact statements or assessments for such
explorations." The vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 245-187. [House Vote 391,
6/20/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/20/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.450;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.3055]
In 2018 The Trump Administration Put Forward A Proposal To Expand
Offshore Drilling Off The U.S. Pacific And Atlantic Coasts That Has
Been Delayed Due To Litigation. According to the Center for
American Progress, "In 2018, the Trump administration put forward a
highly controversial plan to expand offshore drilling off the U.S.
Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the west coast of Florida in the Gulf
of Mexico, and Alaska. Though this drilling proposal has been
delayed as a result of litigation, coastal communities remain deeply
concerned that the administration's final decision will irreversibly
damage the health of America's coastal and marine environments."
[Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal Would Emit An Additional 46 Billion Metric Tons
Of Greenhouse Gases, Equivalent To The Yearly Emissions Of 10
Billion Cars And 3 Percent Of What Remains In The Global Carbon
Budget. According to the Center for American Progress, "The data
show that if this plan were implemented, the resulting combustion of
the additional fossil fuels extracted would add as many as 46
billion metric tons of GHG emissions to the world's atmosphere. That
is nearly seven times more than all GHG emitted by the entire United
States each year. Put another way, such an increase is the
equivalent of the yearly emissions from nearly 10 billion
cars---nine times as many cars as are on the road worldwide today
[...] The 46 billion metric tons of carbon that would be released
by Trump's plan would account for more than 3 percent of what
remains in the entire global carbon budget." [Center for American
Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal "Would Also Lead To More Than 10 Times More
Large Oil Spills," An Increase from 8 to 92 over 30 years.
According to the Center for American Progress, "According to CAP
estimates, the Trump administration drilling plan would also lead to
more than 10 times more large oil spills than the current plan
[...] Based on the spill rate associated with increased drilling
activity, the number of large oil spills---those of at least 42,000
gallons, or 1,000 barrels---would increase from eight to 92 over the
30-year course of the plan." [Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing
Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Leasing In The Outer
Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit
the use of funds made available under the bill for the purpose of
conducting Interior Department offshore oil and gas leasing, preleasing
or related activities in the Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas for
the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic." The vote was on
adoption of the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of
247-185. [House Vote 379,
6/20/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/20/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.434;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.3055]
In 2018 The Trump Administration Put Forward A Proposal To Expand
Offshore Drilling Off The U.S. Pacific And Atlantic Coasts That Has
Been Delayed Due To Litigation. According to the Center for
American Progress, "In 2018, the Trump administration put forward a
highly controversial plan to expand offshore drilling off the U.S.
Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the west coast of Florida in the Gulf
of Mexico, and Alaska. Though this drilling proposal has been
delayed as a result of litigation, coastal communities remain deeply
concerned that the administration's final decision will irreversibly
damage the health of America's coastal and marine environments."
[Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal Would Emit An Additional 46 Billion Metric Tons
Of Greenhouse Gases, Equivalent To The Yearly Emissions Of 10
Billion Cars And 3 Percent Of What Remains In The Global Carbon
Budget. According to the Center for American Progress, "The data
show that if this plan were implemented, the resulting combustion of
the additional fossil fuels extracted would add as many as 46
billion metric tons of GHG emissions to the world's atmosphere. That
is nearly seven times more than all GHG emitted by the entire United
States each year. Put another way, such an increase is the
equivalent of the yearly emissions from nearly 10 billion
cars---nine times as many cars as are on the road worldwide today
[...] The 46 billion metric tons of carbon that would be released
by Trump's plan would account for more than 3 percent of what
remains in the entire global carbon budget." [Center for American
Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal "Would Also Lead To More Than 10 Times More
Large Oil Spills," An Increase from 8 to 92 over 30 years.
According to the Center for American Progress, "According to CAP
estimates, the Trump administration drilling plan would also lead to
more than 10 times more large oil spills than the current plan
[...] Based on the spill rate associated with increased drilling
activity, the number of large oil spills---those of at least 42,000
gallons, or 1,000 barrels---would increase from eight to 92 over the
30-year course of the plan." [Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing
Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Leasing In The Outer
Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit
the use of funds made available under the bill for the purpose of
conducting Interior Department offshore oil and gas leasing, preleasing
or related activities in the Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas for
the South Atlantic, the Straits of Florida, and the central and eastern
Gulf of Mexico." The vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 252-178. [House Vote 378,
6/20/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/20/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.432;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.3055]
In 2018 The Trump Administration Put Forward A Proposal To Expand
Offshore Drilling Off The U.S. Pacific And Atlantic Coasts That Has
Been Delayed Due To Litigation. According to the Center for
American Progress, "In 2018, the Trump administration put forward a
highly controversial plan to expand offshore drilling off the U.S.
Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the west coast of Florida in the Gulf
of Mexico, and Alaska. Though this drilling proposal has been
delayed as a result of litigation, coastal communities remain deeply
concerned that the administration's final decision will irreversibly
damage the health of America's coastal and marine environments."
[Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal Would Emit An Additional 46 Billion Metric Tons
Of Greenhouse Gases, Equivalent To The Yearly Emissions Of 10
Billion Cars And 3 Percent Of What Remains In The Global Carbon
Budget. According to the Center for American Progress, "The data
show that if this plan were implemented, the resulting combustion of
the additional fossil fuels extracted would add as many as 46
billion metric tons of GHG emissions to the world's atmosphere. That
is nearly seven times more than all GHG emitted by the entire United
States each year. Put another way, such an increase is the
equivalent of the yearly emissions from nearly 10 billion
cars---nine times as many cars as are on the road worldwide today
[...] The 46 billion metric tons of carbon that would be released
by Trump's plan would account for more than 3 percent of what
remains in the entire global carbon budget." [Center for American
Progress,
10/23/19]
CAP: The Proposal "Would Also Lead To More Than 10 Times More
Large Oil Spills," An Increase from 8 to 92 over 30 years.
According to the Center for American Progress, "According to CAP
estimates, the Trump administration drilling plan would also lead to
more than 10 times more large oil spills than the current plan
[...] Based on the spill rate associated with increased drilling
activity, the number of large oil spills---those of at least 42,000
gallons, or 1,000 barrels---would increase from eight to 92 over the
30-year course of the plan." [Center for American Progress,
10/23/19]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The FY 2018 Republican Study Committee
Budget Resolution Which In Part Called For Opening Up Additional Areas
Of The Outer Continental Shelf For Energy Exploitation. In October
2017, Fitzpatrick voted against a budget resolution that would in part,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide for $2.9 trillion in new
budget authority in fiscal 2018. It would balance the budget by fiscal
2023 by reducing spending by $10.1 trillion over 10 years. It would cap
total discretionary spending at $1.06 trillion for fiscal 2018 and
would assume no separate Overseas Contingency Operations funding for
fiscal 2018 or subsequent years and would incorporate funding related to
war or terror into the base defense account. It would assume repeal of
the 2010 health care overhaul and would convert Medicaid and the
Children's Health Insurance Program into a single block grant program.
It would require that off budget programs, such as Social Security, the
U.S. Postal Service, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, be included in the
budget." The underlying legislation was an FY 2018 House GOP budget
resolution. The House rejected the RSC budget by a vote of 139 to 281.
[House Vote 555,
10/5/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/5/17; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
455;
Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res.
71]