Nelson (Fla.) calls for halt to offshore drilling

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is calling on the Obama administration to halt plans for offshore drilling in the wake of a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Nelson is introducing legislation to prevent the expansion of drilling that Obama announced last month.

The Florida Democrat announced his plans in a letter to President Obama today.

"I am filing legislation that would for the time being prohibit the Interior Department from acting on your administration's plans to expand offshore drilling, including seismic testing and other exploratory operations," Nelson wrote.

Obama has said he will use "every single available resource" to contain the spill.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declined to endorse Nelson's approach when asked about it at a press conference today.