House Adopts Byrne Amendment to Protect Gulf Coast Funding

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an government funding bill for the Department of Interior and related agencies, which includes an amendment from Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) to protect a critical funding source for Gulf Coast states, including Alabama.

Byrne’s amendment would prohibit any efforts to redirect funds allocated under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). GOMESA is the federal legislation that creates a revenue sharing agreement between Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama for federal oil revenue from drilling off their coasts.

This year alone, the State of Alabama received $21 million under GOMESA. An additional $2.47 million went to Baldwin County and $2.88 million to Mobile County.

The amendment was adopted by a unanimous voice vote. The bill passed by a vote of 217 to 199.

A transcript of Congressman Byrne’s remarks in support of his amendment can be found below.

Congressman Byrne said: “I rise today to offer a straightforward amendment to prohibit any effort to redirect funds allocated under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which is commonly known as GOMESA.

“For those that don’t know, GOMESA calls for a revenue sharing agreement between the federal government and four Gulf states – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The program is designed to split up revenue from selected oil and gas lease sales in the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico.

“The unique thing about GOMESA is it ensures appropriate funding for the coastal areas that provide the workforce, assume the environmental risk, build much of the infrastructure, and support the offshore oil and gas industry. It only makes sense that the coastal areas should receive an adequate share of the revenue.

“Previously, there have been administrative efforts to direct the money away from the Gulf states and instead devote the resources to national projects. While I appreciate the Trump Administration not including any such proposal in this year’s budget, I still believe it is important for Congress to send a clear, bipartisan message that we do not support moving GOMESA funds away from the Gulf Coast.

“In fact, just this year, the Department of Interior disbursed almost $188 million to the four Gulf oil and gas producing states. Alabama received $21 million this year, with our two coastal counties receiving an additional combined amount over $5 million.

“I have seen these GOMESA funds put to good use back in my home state of Alabama. Whether it was for environmental rehabilitation, protection projects, or programs that boost the coastal tourism economy, GOMESA is working by supporting and promoting our Gulf Coast communities.

“If you talk to our local mayors and county leaders, they will tell you how critically important GOMESA funding is for their region. It would be detrimental to go against Congressional intent and redirect these funds away from our respective coastal communities.

“By including this amendment, we can make clear that Congress does not support reallocating these resources and show our strong support for the Gulf Coast.”