Press Releases

Today, Congressmen Mike Ezell (MS-04), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Clay Higgins (LA-03), and Randy Weber (TX-14) introduced the Bringing Reliable Investment into Domestic Gulf Energy Production (BRIDGE) Act of 2025 to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of America. This legislation aims to strengthen American energy security, create good-paying jobs, and support economic growth along the Gulf Coast.

“The Biden regime's war on energy is officially over. Reliable, affordable energy starts with ensuring regulatory predictability in lease sales,” Ezell said. “The BRIDGE Act ensures and maintains vital lease sales, giving American energy producers the certainty they need. Energy independence is a national security issue, an economic issue, and a family budget issue—and it starts right here at home.” 

“Due to radical environmental extremists in the Biden administration, gas prices soared and American energy independence suffered," House Natural Resources Chairman Westerman said. "However, with Congressman Ezell’s BRIDGE Act, Americans can look toward a bright future of American energy dominance and a reliable supply of affordable domestic oil and natural gas. I applaud his leadership on this issue and look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.”

“Offshore leasing should never be used as a political weapon or allow America to fall behind our competitors in the resource-rich Gulf of America,” Weber said. “The BRIDGE Act gets us back on track — making sure no future Biden-style administration can slow-walk offshore energy development again. America should be producing oil, creating jobs, and securing our future.”

“The offshore oil and gas industry provides economic prosperity for Louisiana and our nation,” Higgins said. “This legislation provides certainty in the leasing process and encourages increased energy production in the Gulf of America. I’m proud to join my colleagues, Congressman Ezell and Congressman Weber, on this important legislation to strengthen America’s energy security.”

"The BRIDGE Act will bring certainty back to our offshore leasing program, and much-needed relief after four years of restrictive policies that jeopardized our future energy supply, security, and affordability. The Gulf of America is the least carbon-intensive offshore production basin in the world, and refusing to utilize this vast resource is not only bad policy, it’s environmentally irresponsible. Without guaranteed offshore lease sales, which account for almost 14% of our crude oil supply, we put affordable and reliable energy at risk. Over the last four years, the Biden Administration did everything it could to obstruct sustainable offshore energy development; subsequently, we saw the highest gasoline prices in 20 years and the highest natural gas costs since 2005, during the previous term. Repeated delays hindered a new leasing program, necessitating measures like the BRIDGE Act to ensure uninterrupted and efficient offshore energy lease sales that cannot be thwarted depending on the ideologies of the administration in office. Consumer Energy Alliance looks forward to supporting more measured, sensible energy legislation in the new Congress to provide lasting predictability and transparency. The passage of the BRIDGE Act is an important first step in reviving our offshore industry for the benefit of all Americans,” Katie Hammons, Vice President, Consumer Energy Alliance said. 

"After these last few years of the federal government holding up U.S. energy development, it's good to see an Administration and a Congress proactively working on future U.S. energy production. Importantly, by seeking more energy exploration and investment in the Gulf of America, the BRIDGE Act lays the policy framework to allow production of the energy we'll need in years to come," Patrick Sullivan, President of the Southeast Oil and Gas Association said.

“The Gulf of America’s vast offshore oil and natural gas resources are a critical source of affordable energy, government revenue and stability around the world. We applaud Rep. Ezell for working to bolster U.S. energy dominance and introducing legislation to provide the certainty needed for continued exploration and development in the Gulf," API VP of Upstream Policy Holly Hopkins said.

“Offshore oil and natural gas production in federal waters provides huge economic benefits to the United States in terms of jobs, royalties to the U.S. Treasury and economic benefits to states and coastal communities. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration took numerous actions to hamper or stop vital American offshore oil and natural gas production. The BRIDGE Act brings common sense back to the offshore leasing and planning process.  Independent American offshore oil and natural gas producers rely on having predicable lease sales and a regulatory regime that is durable and reasonable. IPAA congratulates Congressmen Ezell, Weber, Crenshaw, and Higgins for introducing this important legislation that will have a major impact on American oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of America,” Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), President & CEO Jeff Eshelman said.

"NOIA thanks Congressman Ezell for his leadership in advancing solutions that strengthen America’s energy future. The Gulf of America remains a premier energy region yet delays by the previous administration in finalizing a new offshore leasing program created an unnecessary, multi-year gap in lease opportunities—at a time when global competition and energy uncertainty are intensifying. Legislation like the BRIDGE Production Act would restore much-needed certainty and allow the Gulf to continue its critical role in powering the nation. We urge Congress to act swiftly on bipartisan, bicameral measures that bring clarity, stability, and renewed strength to U.S. offshore energy development," Erik Milito, President National Ocean Industries Association said.

"The BRIDGE Act is essential to restoring certainty in offshore leasing and reaffirming America’s commitment to energy security. Louisiana plays a vital role in supplying safe, responsible offshore energy, and this legislation ensures we can continue creating jobs, supporting coastal restoration, and strengthening our economy. We commend Congressmen Ezell, Higgins and Weber for championing this legislation and urge its swift passage to secure our offshore energy future." Tommy Faucheux, President, Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) said.

“This Act recognizes the importance of increasing energy production across America, including in Alaska’s first oil basin, the Cook Inlet. Consistent lease sales provide stability for investment, which is essential in developing crucial oil and natural gas reserves, especially in Cook Inlet, which provides the energy supply for 2/3 of Alaskans. This Act is a win for all Americans," Kara Moriarty, President and CEO, Alaska Oil & Gas Association said.

The BRIDGE Act would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct offshore lease sales in the Gulf of America and other critical areas that have been delayed or canceled under the Biden administration. Offshore energy production is essential to maintaining stable energy prices, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, and generating billions of dollars in revenue for conservation and coastal restoration efforts.

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