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 referred 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 instead of coercion. 

Whereas public leaders have attempted to coerce damages 

from energy companies with frivolous lawsuits and investigations, including— 

(1) on July 24, 2013, the Southeast Louisiana 

Flood Protection Authority-East filed lawsuits against 

nearly 100 energy companies, alleging liability for flooding in New Orleans; 


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•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 liability for damages to the coast of Louisiana; 

Whereas these actions are not in the spirit of good governance; 

Whereas these actions create more problems than they intend 

to fix; 

Whereas these unseemly tactics are nothing more than a cynical 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 economic growth; 

Whereas the United States has thrived and tackled its greatest challenges by fostering a cooperative spirit with business and industry; 

Whereas Federal revenues generated from mineral production 

contribute to the conservation and preservation of national parks and other public lands; 

Whereas without the revenues generated by oil and gas production, coastal restoration projects in Louisiana would 

not be possible; 


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•HRES 522 IH 

Whereas the oil and natural gas industries are responsible for 

millions of American jobs and for adding trillions of dollars 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 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 

3 (1) the production of oil and natural gas is crit4 ical to the continued prosperity of the United States 

5 economy, its national security, and its people; 

6 (2) the Federal Government and public leaders 

7 throughout the United States should promote poli8 cies that encourage greater energy production and 

9 independence; and 

10 (3) public leaders should work in a spirit of 

11 good faith and cooperation with energy producers to 

12 address the energy needs and problems facing the 

13 United States, rather than in a spirit of coercion 

14 and division. 

Æ 


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