Friday, August 05, 2011

Vitter Blocks Interior Department Nominee

Senator Vitter (R-LA) is using his power for good. He is blocking an Obama nominee in the Interior Department until this administration allows the backlog of hundreds of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico to be extended.

Vitter said Wednesday that he would block the nomination of Rebecca Wodder as the Interior Department's assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks. Vitter wants the department to extend "hundreds of Gulf of Mexico drilling leases" set to expire this year before he will lift his hold.

Good for him.

This country is in great need of jobs, with an unemployment rate sticking at 9.2%. The economic indicators of the last few weeks have been dismal, to say the least. The stock market dives on the uncertainty of it all. Crude oil prices are lower due to the assumption of slowed demand with the economic recovery poor here and abroad.

You know what might help? Jobs in the oil and gas industry. Not only does it increase our energy independence but it provides much need economic stability along the Gulf coast. People with jobs and able to pay bills, spend money at local businesses. Tax revenues rise.

We can do this. Drill here. Drill now. It just makes sense.

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