WASHINGTON (February 21, 2025) – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement in support of President Trump and the Department of Interior’s removal of Biden-era constraints on offshore drilling and commercial activity in the Gulf of America.
“President Trump’s rescission of Biden-era limits on oil and gas operators is a win for American energy and South Louisiana’s economic prosperity,” said Congressman Higgins. “Our maritime industry and ports rely on open transit in the Gulf of America. President Trump understands that and is taking necessary action to ensure continued operation of offshore energy operations and commercial activity along the Gulf Coast.”
During the Biden administration, environmental activist groups filed a petition with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a year-round 10-knot (approx. 11.5 mph) vessel speed restriction zone in the Rice’s whale “core” habitat area across the Gulf. While that petition was denied, the Biden administration’s Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) and NOAA followed with the implementation of speed restrictions and nighttime closure areas for offshore energy operators.
In August of 2023, Congressman Higgins and Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL) introduced legislation to prevent NOAA from issuing a vessel slowdown zone in the Gulf until the Department of Commerce demonstrated that it would not negatively affect supply chains or maritime commerce. Read the legislation here.
