Steve Scalise proudly represents the First Congressional District of Louisiana, stretching from the beautiful Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain and the culturally distinct New Orleans suburbs to the vibrant bayous and wetlands abundant in natural resources. He was elected to Congress in 2008 after serving in the Louisiana State Legislature from 1996-2008. He serves his colleagues as the House Republican Whip, the second highest position in House Republican leadership.
Congressman Scalise strongly believes in and fights for an ‘America first’ energy strategy that will put our country on the path to energy dominance. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has broad jurisdiction over American energy policy, Congressman Scalise believes that Congress must enact a national energy strategy that leverages our abundant fossil resources like oil and natural gas, explores alternative energy solutions, and keeps prices for consumers as low as possible.
Congressman Scalise fully supports efforts to roll back many of the ill-conceived policy choices of the Obama administration. Congressman Scalise supports increasing energy production both onshore and offshore, reducing regulatory burdens, and streamlining permitting processes to allow projects to be completed more quickly. With greater access to natural resources and shorter timelines for infrastructure, investment will continue to be made in the energy sector that will create jobs and grow our economy.
So much of this production and development of energy takes place in Congressman Scalise’s southeast Louisiana congressional district. Port Fourchon is the service base for over 90% of the deepwater drilling rigs and production platforms and is the main facility transporting supplies and people to these offshore locations. This infrastructure is critical to not only the economic health of Louisiana; it is also critical to the economic health of the nation.
Congressman Scalise supports robust offshore energy production in the Gulf of Mexico for another reason: revenue sharing. Now, for the first time, Louisiana has a chance to share in the dollars that flow from offshore oil and gas production. In Louisiana, those dollars are dedicated to restoring our vanishing coastline. Energy production is not just about economic growth; in Louisiana, it is also about saving precious wetlands from additional erosion and subsidence.
Congressman Scalise will continue to fight for bold energy policy that protects Louisiana and strengthens the United States at home and abroad.
For more information concerning Congressman Scalise's work and views on Energy issues, please contact his Washington, DC office.