Ocean Colleagues:

As you’ve probably seen, the Build Back Better Act will be delayed until next year, with Senate Majority Leader Schumer acknowledging that more time is needed for the President and Senator Manchin to conclude their negotiations. 

While we are incredibly disappointed, we are encouraged by the President and Leadership’s determination to bring this bill to the floor as quickly as possible in the new year. Given the impact of this historic legislation on our ocean, coasts, and climate, we must continue with our persistent advocacy to get the bill across the finish line. 

Senate text released yesterday shows strong investments for our ocean & coasts. A full comparison is available here in table form with text of the ocean/coastal provisions compiled here. These are historic investments, totalling over $13 billion, and we are poised and prepared to celebrate following Senate passage. 

There is one notable provision related to the ocean in the House version that was not included in the recently released legislative text from the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: the permanent ban on new offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Eastern Gulf is NOT included.

Please stay tuned for more information, talking points, how to plug in as an amendment strategy is developed to ensure the ban stays in the bill. 

Thanks for all you've done to get us this far and for your continued perseverance.