WASHINGTON, DC – On July 30 a majority of the House of Representatives voted in support of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act (CLEAR Act).

The CLEAR Act increases drilling safety, helps restore the Gulf Coast, cracks down on ethical lapses in the public and private sectors, and requires businesses to be responsible for their actions.

The bill passed by a vote of 209-193.

“In the wake of the BP oil spill – the largest oil spill in the history of our country – Congress must take action to protect America’s coastal families and economies,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), who voted for the bill.

“This legislation is needed to protect American taxpayers from spills caused by oil companies’ mistakes, restore the Gulf Coast and update federal guidelines to prevent future oil spills – especially ones of this magnitude,” Thompson said.

The CLEAR Act includes provisions to strengthen oversight and safety measures for off-shore drilling as well as hold BP fully responsible for the clean up and recovery of the Gulf spill.

In addition, the bill makes sure that the oil companies pay their fair share to drill on our public lands and waters, and ensures that royalties collected from oil and gas companies are spent specifically to restore and protect critical habitat to mitigate the impacts of drilling.

This legislation is meant to reduce the national deficit and save taxpayers $5 billion over the next five years.

Also on July 30 Thompson voted for the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act (H.R. 5851). This legislation will protect workers who report violations by the oil and gas industry to state or federal government authorities from being discharged or discriminated against.

These bills have been sent to the Senate for consideration.