At a press conference on Thursday Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, California Democrats, along with Senator Maria Cantwell, Washington Democrat, and Senator Jeff Merkley, Oregon Democrat, presented legislation calling for a permanent ban on oil drilling off the West Coast. Democratic Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon, while absent at today's presser, are also part of the coalition, according to Senator Boxer.
Before showing pictures of oils soaked wildlife as a result of the BP oil spill, Ms. Boxer explained the legislation saying this bill would ensure that "there will never be offshore oil gas drilling off the west coast of our nation."
While President Obama placed an executive order on West Coast drilling until 2017, the six Democratic Senators' legislation goes further.
"We know very clearly that that moratorium is dependent on his presidency, his being there, and that there is no permanent protection for us. This is our only route to go," said Senator Boxer, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
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