Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the production of oil and natural gas is essential to the economy and well-being of the United States, and that addressing energy needs requires cooperation instead of coercion.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 522 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the production of oil and natural gas is essential to the economy and well-being of the United States, and that addressing energy needs requires cooperation instead of coercion. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 25, 2019 Mr. ABRAHAM (for himself, Mr. GOSAR, Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana, Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana, Mr. WATKINS, Mr. CRAWFORD, Mr. SCALISE, and Mr. MARSHALL) submitted the following resolution; which was re- ferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the production of oil and natural gas is essential to the economy and well-being of the United States, and that addressing energy needs requires cooperation in- stead of coercion. Whereas public leaders have attempted to coerce damages from energy companies with frivolous lawsuits and inves- tigations, including— (1) on July 24, 2013, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East filed lawsuits against nearly 100 energy companies, alleging liability for flood- ing in New Orleans; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 Jul 26, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR522.IH HR522 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 522 IH (2) on April 7, 2016, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and his administration joined in 39 lawsuits against energy companies, alleging liability for damages to the coast of Louisiana; (3) on September 21, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards sent letters to 16 Louisiana parishes directing them to file similar lawsuits against energy companies for alleged damages; 4 additional parishes have since joined the lawsuits; and (4) on March 29, 2019, the city of New Orleans filed lawsuits against 11 energy companies, alleging li- ability for damages to the coast of Louisiana; Whereas these actions are not in the spirit of good govern- ance; Whereas these actions create more problems than they intend to fix; Whereas these unseemly tactics are nothing more than a cyn- ical attempt to use the power of government to shake down energy companies in order to fund public works; Whereas these actions deter the safe development of the vast natural resources of the United States, and hinder eco- nomic growth; Whereas the United States has thrived and tackled its great- est challenges by fostering a cooperative spirit with busi- ness and industry; Whereas Federal revenues generated from mineral production contribute to the conservation and preservation of na- tional parks and other public lands; Whereas without the revenues generated by oil and gas pro- duction, coastal restoration projects in Louisiana would not be possible; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 Jul 26, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR522.IH HR522 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 522 IH Whereas the oil and natural gas industries are responsible for millions of American jobs and for adding trillions of dol- lars to the economy; Whereas the production of oil and natural gas has provided affordable and reliable sources of energy to billions of people around the world; Whereas American innovation and ingenuity has made the United States the greatest energy producer in the world; and Whereas increased production of domestic energy sources is vital to American energy independence, national security, and the economy: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep- 1 resentatives that— 2 (1) the production of oil and natural gas is crit- 3 ical to the continued prosperity of the United States 4 economy, its national security, and its people; 5 (2) the Federal Government and public leaders 6 throughout the United States should promote poli- 7 cies that encourage greater energy production and 8 independence; and 9 (3) public leaders should work in a spirit of 10 good faith and cooperation with energy producers to 11 address the energy needs and problems facing the 12 United States, rather than in a spirit of coercion 13 and division. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 Jul 26, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR522.IH HR522 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS