The vote was extremely important. This is a real breakthrough, particularly in the Senate, in terms of opening up a new area for drilling, new production, and in terms of allowing revenue sharing. I think that model can allow us to open new areas in the future to increase domestic oil and gas production.

It was vitally important for Louisiana. We have been fighting for this for years – getting our fair share of offshore oil and gas revenues so that we can help meet our needs in terms of coastal reparation and hurricane protection.