Senate kills amendment to expand offshore oil drilling

The Senate on Thursday defeated an amendment offered by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) that would have thrown open the doors for increased oil drilling and exploration along America’s coasts. 

Floor manager for the pending highway bill Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) led the opposition that resulted in the 46-52 defeat, arguing the amendment had the potential of ruining America's pristine coastlines and the tourism industry that depends on them. 

"This is an antijobs amendment that threatens our coastal economies ... where the coasts are an engine of economic growth," Boxer said.

"This is a giveaway to big oil," she added. 

But in floor debate earlier in the day, Vitter argued for expanded drilling opportunities, arguing that high gas prices are stunting economic growth.

“[This] is the single biggest step we can take right now to try to rein in spiraling gas prices,” Vitter said.