2013: Schweikert Voted To Allow The Issuance Of Oil And Gas Permits In The Bristol Bay, Alaska Area. In June 2013, Schweikert voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "bar[red] the Interior secretary from issuing any oil and gas leases for any area in Bristol Bay off the coast of Alaska. It also would nullify provisions in the bill that provide for revenue sharing with coastal states." The underlying legislation was H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 183 235. [House Vote 299, 6/28/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 241; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2231]
2013: Schweikert Voted To Increase Offshore Drilling Along The U.S. Coast, Including The Coasts Of California, South Carolina And Virginia. In June 2013, Schweikert voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have "direct[ed] the Interior secretary to develop a five-year offshore leasing plan that would make at least 50 percent of the unleased coastal areas with the most potential for energy production available for oil and gas exploration and development. It would [have] create[d] a nationwide revenue sharing system so coastal states would receive a share of the federal royalties. Drilling would [have] be[en] allowed off the coasts of California, South Carolina and Virginia." The vote was on passage of the bill, which the House approved by a vote of 235 to 186. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 304, 6/28/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2231]
Bill Expedited Environmental Reviews And External Challenges To Authorized Projects. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would require the Interior secretary to prepare a multi-sale environmental impact statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for all lease sales authorized by the bill. As amended it would require that claims arising from projects covered by the bill be filed within 60 days and resolved within six months." [Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13]
Republicans Argued Bill Would Correct Obama's Failure To Expand Leases. According to The Hill, "In Thursday debate, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) said the president had a chance to expand lease sales, but instead put forward a restrictive plan that will hurt U.S. energy development. '[H]e went out of his way to shut down this opportunity by putting forth a new five-year offshore leasing plan that locks up 85 percent of our offshore areas,' he said. 'The plan includes no new drilling, which results in no new American jobs.'" [The Hill, 6/28/13]
Democrats Said Energy Companies Currently Had Plenty Of Offshore Drilling Access And That Gas Prices Would Not Be Lowered By The Bill. According to The Hill, " "Democrats argued that energy companies have access to enough offshore areas right now, and that President Obama's plan has not limited energy production or led to higher gas prices, as Republicans have claimed. '[T]he premise that somehow by putting more leases out there --- with no requirement for them to perform --- the price of gas will drop is absolutely untrue,' said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). 'We all know that's untrue. The American consumers know it's untrue.'" [The Hill, 6/28/13]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against Ending Oil And Gas Leasing In The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Area Of Alaska. In September 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted Against Ending Oil And Gas Leasing In The Atlantic And Pacific Regions Of The Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In September 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted Against Ending Oil And Gas Leasing In Certain Areas Of The Gulf Of Mexico. In September 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing Appropriations To Allow For Oil And Gas Leases. In June 2019, Schweikert voted for 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: Schweikert Voted To Disapprove An Interior Department Rule That Required An Archaeological Study Prior To Drilling In The Outer Continental Shelf. In March 2025, Schweikert voted for , 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Leasing In The Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Exploration In The Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Leasing In The Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment To The FY 2020 Continuing Appropriations Prohibiting Offshore Oil And Gas Leasing In The Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas. In June 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted For 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, Schweikert voted for 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]
2016: Schweikert Voted To Block The Well Control Rule, Which Would Require More Rigorous Design Requirements And Operations For Well Control Equipment For Drilling In The Outer Continental Shelf. In July 2016, Schweikert voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit[ed] any funds from being used for the implementation of the April 2015 'Well Control' rule, which mandates more stringent design requirements and operational procedures for critical well control equipment used in oil and gas operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf." The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environment appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 234 to 195. The House later passed the bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 444, 7/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1316; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
2013: Schweikert Voted To Permanently Open The Outer Continental Shelf To Drilling. In March 2013, Schweikert voted to support approving drilling in the outer continental shelf, as part of the Republican Study Committee's proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2013 to 2023. According to the Republican Study Committee, "Given this principle, the budget permanently opens the Outer Continental Shelf for energy exploration and development." The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC's proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 104 to 132 with 171 Democrats voting present. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Repeating a strategy from last year, 171 Democrats voted "present" to push Republicans to vote against the RSC plan to make sure it did not have enough support to replace the Ryan plan." [House Vote 86, 3/21/13; Republican Study Committee, 3/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/13; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 35; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 25]
2014: Schweikert Voted To Prohibit The Energy Department From Blocking Offshore Drilling Permits. In July 2014, Schweikert voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, the "Stockman, R-Texas, amendment that would bar the Energy Department from using funds provided in the bill to block off-shore drilling permits." The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 218 to 204. [House Vote 396, 7/10/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4923]
2013: Schweikert Voted To Increase Offshore Drilling Along The U.S. Coast, Including The Coasts Of California, South Carolina And Virginia. In June 2013, Schweikert voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have "direct[ed] the Interior secretary to develop a five-year offshore leasing plan that would make at least 50 percent of the unleased coastal areas with the most potential for energy production available for oil and gas exploration and development. It would [have] create[d] a nationwide revenue sharing system so coastal states would receive a share of the federal royalties. Drilling would [have] be[en] allowed off the coasts of California, South Carolina and Virginia." The vote was on passage of the bill, which the House approved by a vote of 235 to 186. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 304, 6/28/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2231]
Bill Expedited Environmental Reviews And External Challenges To Authorized Projects. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would require the Interior secretary to prepare a multi-sale environmental impact statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for all lease sales authorized by the bill. As amended it would require that claims arising from projects covered by the bill be filed within 60 days and resolved within six months." [Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13]
Republicans Argued Bill Would Correct Obama's Failure To Expand Leases. According to The Hill, "In Thursday debate, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) said the president had a chance to expand lease sales, but instead put forward a restrictive plan that will hurt U.S. energy development. '[H]e went out of his way to shut down this opportunity by putting forth a new five-year offshore leasing plan that locks up 85 percent of our offshore areas,' he said. 'The plan includes no new drilling, which results in no new American jobs.'" [The Hill, 6/28/13]
Democrats Said Energy Companies Currently Had Plenty Of Offshore Drilling Access And That Gas Prices Would Not Be Lowered By The Bill. According to The Hill, " "Democrats argued that energy companies have access to enough offshore areas right now, and that President Obama's plan has not limited energy production or led to higher gas prices, as Republicans have claimed. '[T]he premise that somehow by putting more leases out there --- with no requirement for them to perform --- the price of gas will drop is absolutely untrue,' said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). 'We all know that's untrue. The American consumers know it's untrue.'" [The Hill, 6/28/13]
2013: Schweikert Voted To Increase Offshore Drilling Along The U.S. Coast, Including The Coasts Of California, South Carolina And Virginia. In June 2013, Schweikert voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have "direct[ed] the Interior secretary to develop a five-year offshore leasing plan that would make at least 50 percent of the unleased coastal areas with the most potential for energy production available for oil and gas exploration and development. It would [have] create[d] a nationwide revenue sharing system so coastal states would receive a share of the federal royalties. Drilling would [have] be[en] allowed off the coasts of California, South Carolina and Virginia." The vote was on passage of the bill, which the House approved by a vote of 235 to 186. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 304, 6/28/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2231]
Bill Expedited Environmental Reviews And External Challenges To Authorized Projects. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would require the Interior secretary to prepare a multi-sale environmental impact statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for all lease sales authorized by the bill. As amended it would require that claims arising from projects covered by the bill be filed within 60 days and resolved within six months." [Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13]
Republicans Argued Bill Would Correct Obama's Failure To Expand Leases. According to The Hill, "In Thursday debate, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) said the president had a chance to expand lease sales, but instead put forward a restrictive plan that will hurt U.S. energy development. '[H]e went out of his way to shut down this opportunity by putting forth a new five-year offshore leasing plan that locks up 85 percent of our offshore areas,' he said. 'The plan includes no new drilling, which results in no new American jobs.'" [The Hill, 6/28/13]
Democrats Said Energy Companies Currently Had Plenty Of Offshore Drilling Access And That Gas Prices Would Not Be Lowered By The Bill. According to The Hill, " "Democrats argued that energy companies have access to enough offshore areas right now, and that President Obama's plan has not limited energy production or led to higher gas prices, as Republicans have claimed. '[T]he premise that somehow by putting more leases out there --- with no requirement for them to perform --- the price of gas will drop is absolutely untrue,' said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). 'We all know that's untrue. The American consumers know it's untrue.'" [The Hill, 6/28/13]