WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding today’s passage of H.R. 3534, the CLEAR Act:

“The oil leak in the Gulf is a terrible disaster and we must ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. BP must be held completely accountable for the massive damage it has done to the people of the Gulf, its environment and its economy.

“There is no doubt that changes are needed to ensure the development and implementation of the best offshore oil and gas operations and practices are identified and put into place. Operators must be held accountable for their actions. Nearly everyone can agree these changes are necessary.

“Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ thinking is as clear as mud. Congressional Democrats’ CLEAR Act uses the tragedy in the Gulf as a misguided opportunity to impose job-killing energy policies on Americans. President Obama’s six month moratorium on offshore drilling is estimated to cost more than 8,000 jobs in the Gulf and cause major damage to the Gulf economy. It’s crucial to remember that offshore drilling accounts for 30% of our nation’s energy. As if a six month moratorium wasn’t enough, H.R. 3534 will significantly increase America’s dependence on foreign countries for energy by continuing to delay and block offshore drilling in American waters. This is the last thing the people of the Gulf and the American people need.

“Democrats are using H.R. 3534 as an opportunity to add more red tape and bureaucracy on energy development on public lands in the West. We need an all-of-the above energy approach, but instead, energy producers in Wyoming will be forced to pay higher taxes and suffer under duplicative regulations under this bill.

“H.R. 3534 kills jobs in the U.S., raises taxes on U.S. energy development, raises costs for American families and will significantly increase America’s dependence on foreign countries to fuel our nation. Americans are calling for the opposite. It’s unfortunate Washington Democrats continue to ignore Americans and push their out-of-touch agenda through Congress.”