Washington, DC -- Today, by a vote of 266 to 149, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1230: The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act which requires the Obama Administration to conduct oil and natural gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that have been delayed or cancelled by the Administration. 

The legislation is designed to help increase American oil and natural gas production at a time when the country needs more good-paying jobs, more revenues for the Treasury and less dependence on foreign oil.

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, the top Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, says this is no time for Washington to block access to more American-made energy.

"It's time for the Administration to move forward with lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia as the President once promised,” said Brady. “The moratorium has hurt energy production and jobs. With four dollar a gallon gas and more production moving to other countries its critically important to send a strong signal that the Gulf is open for business again.”