http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/2012/02/us_house_passes_bill_to_allow_1.html

By William Gibson
February 17, 2012 11:31 AM

House Republicans, including seven from Florida, voted late Thursday to end the ban on drilling along Florida’s west coast. But the bill has almost no chance of becoming law. It would open the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic coastline in Alaska to oil rigs. The bill may not even be taken up in the Democratic-controlled Senate. If it does clear Congress, President Obama would veto it because of his objection to the drilling provisions and other items in the bill.

The House action nevertheless asserted Republican attempts to shift energy policy and clear the way for dramatic expansion of offshore oil production, which backers say would make the nation less dependent on foreign sources and create jobs. They also say it would help pay for $260 billion of transportation costs.

Oceana, an environmental group for ocean preservation, called the bill a handout to Big Oil.

The voting revealed divisions among Florida members. Tom Rooney, a Republican from Tequesta, was the only South Florida member to vote for the bill. Also voting “yes” were Republicans John Mica of Winter Park, Dan Webster of Winter Garden, Dennis Ross of Lakeland, Bill Posey of Rockledge, Ander Crenshaw of Jacksonville and Cliff Stearns of Ocala.

Eight South Florida members voted against the bill: Republicans Allen West of Plantation and Mario Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and David Rivera of Miami; plus Democrats Ted Deutch of Boca Raton, Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, Alcee Hastings of Miramar and Frederica Wilson of Miami Gardens. The bill, which passed by 237 to 187, serves mostly to demonstrate opposition to Obama’s policy of limiting offshore drilling, especially in environmentally sensitive areas like the west coast of Florida. The issue likely will play out in this year’s elections.

Special thanks to Richard Charter