U.S. House Coalition Introduces RESTORE Act

Bill would dedicate at least 80 percent of Macondo spill Clean Water Act fines to Gulf Coast states

Washington, D.C. –  A coalition of Gulf Coast lawmakers in the U.S. House today introduced the RESTORE Act and continued building momentum to secure Macondo spill Clean Water Act fines for coastal states.  The bill was introduced by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), and is companion legislation to a bill introduced in the Senate by a coalition of Gulf Coast Senators.  Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) joined Scalise as an original cosponsor along with Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), Rep Pete Olson (R-TX), Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL), and other bipartisan Gulf State Members in the House.  Rep. Palazzo said the following:

“Full recovery begins at the local level by meeting community needs.  We’ve worked together as a coastal delegation to build consensus to best address the full economic and ecological restoration of coastal communities.  The RESTORE Act puts us one step closer to passing a proposal that will provide the resources necessary to overcome the challenges brought by the Deepwater Horizon tragedy.  I look forward to continuing to work with the coalition to advocate for the bill’s passage as it moves through the committee process,” said Representative Steven Palazzo (MS-04).

Jack Norris, President of the Gulf Coast Business Council added, “The RESTORE Act is critically important to the Gulf Coast and our ongoing recovery efforts.  Thanks to the strong leadership of Senators Cochran and Wicker and Congressman Palazzo, both the House and Senate bills strike an appropriate balance between environmental and economic recovery and include the necessary flexibility to address the unique needs of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Congressman Palazzo’s work to bridge consensus in the House assures all efforts among Gulf State Members are coordinated to pass the RESTORE Act.”

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A Republican representing the Fourth District of Mississippi, Steven Palazzo serves as Assistant Republican Whip.  In addition, he is member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee where he also serves as Chairman of the Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee.