Contacts:

Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797

David Lungren David_Lungren@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-5642

INHOFE: REID-BOXER OIL SPILL BILL CREATES PERMANENT JOBS MORATORIUM IN THE GULF

Fulfills Goal of White House Energy Czar Browner to Shut Down Smaller Operators

Washington, D.C.-Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, released the following statement today in reaction to the introduction of the Reid-Boxer oil spill legislation.

"Carol Browner, President Obama's White House Energy and Climate Czar, recently said she thinks only Big Oil, which would include BP and a few others, should be drilling in the Gulf," Sen. Inhofe said.  "With the Reid-Boxer oil spill bill, that's exactly what will happen.  And with this legislation, President Obama's Gulf energy moratorium will become a permanent moratorium that will destroy thousands of good-paying jobs, restrict America's ability to produce energy, and make America more dependent on foreign oil."

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