Vitter blasts Republican drilling bill

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) broke ranks with his own party Tuesday, blasting a drilling bill introduced by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that is set to come up for a test vote Wednesday.

Vitter said he was “deeply disappointed” in the legislation, which would require the Interior Department to hold lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the Virginia coast, set a timeline for review of pending offshore permit applications, and extend leases in the Gulf for one year, among other things.

The bill mirrors parts of a broad three-bill drilling package passed by House Republicans in recent weeks.

Vitter took issue with a provision in the legislation that would require a third-party review of oil companies’ spill response plans.

The legislation “increases the burdens and requirements and hurdles of even the new Obama regulations that have been put in place since the BP disaster,” Vitter said on the floor Tuesday.

In addition, the legislation does not go far enough to expand domestic drilling, Vitter said, noting it does not require dramatic new lease sales in the eastern Gulf of Mexico or off parts of the Pacific coast.

“I’m disappointed that the bill is so modest in terms of the increased access,” he said.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), a strong proponent of expanded domestic drilling, said Tuesday she is also opposed to the McConnell bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) agreed to allow a test vote on the McConnell bill Wednesday. The bill is expected to fall short of the 60 votes need to pass.

He has also scheduled a vote Tuesday on a bill to eliminate billions in tax breaks for the five largest oil companies. That legislation also faces major hurdles to passage.

Vitter cast the votes on both bills as political posturing.

“There’s going to be a whole bunch of sound and fury in the end signifying nothing,” Vitter said.

This story was updated at 5:14 p.m.