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Norm Coleman Takes Pledge to Oppose Extension of Drilling Ban

Hastings, LaHood, Lucas and Petri Also Agree to Sign Letter

By: Robert Bluey (Diary)  |  August 15th, 2008 at 02:31 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

UPDATE — Aug. 15, 9:51 p.m.: My apologies to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. There’s no reason for him to sign the letter because it is addressed to him and Majority Leader Harry Reid. His name has been crossed off the list. That leaves 10.

Facing a competitive race back home, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) could have ducked the debate over the soon-to-expire offshore drilling ban. But rather than run from it, Coleman decided to join a growing list of Republicans who are vowing to actively oppose an extension of the ban if Democrats attempt to bring it to a vote.

Coleman’s signature means just 11 Senate Republicans have yet to offer their support: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Bob Corker (Tenn.), Elizabeth Dole (N.C.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.), Jon Kyl (Ariz.), John McCain (Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Gordon Smith (Ore.), Olympia Snowe (Maine), Arlen Specter (Pa.) and John Thune (S.D.).

The number stands at 48 in the House, where four Republicans offered their support yesterday. Reps. Ray LaHood (Ill.), Thomas Petri (Wis.), Doc Hastings (Wash.) and Frank Lucas (Okla.) signed the letter. I’ve updated yesterday’s post to reflect their support.

Collecting signatures for the letter, spearheaded by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Reps. Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) and John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), could prove vitally important come September. That is when Democrats are expected to outline their strategy for dealing with the expiration of the moratorium on exploration off the Outer Continental Shelf and in the oil-shale fields of the West.

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  • walter_hanson

    Okay in looking at the list I can understand some people like Mccain unfortunately, gang of 10 members, but what is Mitch McCommel doing on this list? I thought he was leading the fight for more drilling.

    Walter Hanson
    Minneapolis, MN

  • machapman

    I called Senator Dole’s office (my senator). Her office was unsure at first of what I was asking them about and I directed them to this blog. Eliabeth Perkins in her office called me back to tell be that she does support the letter but wants to add revenue sharing of 37.5%. My understanding is that NC would get 37.5% of the oil revenue for oil drilled off shore (more than 50 miles offshore). She said this is what Alaska and Texas do. Doesn’t
    Alaska get more federal tax dollars per capita than any other state. What is the likely hood that NC taxes would go down? Any analysis would be most appreciated.

  • BrianH

    includes spending on military bases in Alaska. Since AK has a small population this military spending makes the per-capita federal spending very skewed.

    Also I don’t think Alaska has a personal income tax, but rather has an annual payout to all it’s residents from the oil royalty.

    AChance could probably give you a more detailed response, but I think I’ve got the details correct.

  • SumItUp

    Oklahoma is represented in the Senate by Dr. Tom Coburn (R) and James Inhofe (R). Frank Lucas is in the House of Representatives representing the 3rd district in Oklahoma.