Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and a group of Senate Republican colleagues to introduce the Offshore Energy Security Act of 2025. This legislation requires the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct two offshore oil and gas lease sales annually for the next decade, aiming to bolster American energy production and provide stability for the offshore energy industry.
The current five-year plan for offshore oil and gas leasing, developed under the Biden-Harris Administration, proposes only three lease sales over five years. Advocates of the new bill emphasize the importance of long-term leasing to encourage investments in U.S. energy infrastructure. According to lawmakers, 2024 marked the first year in over half a century without an offshore lease sale, prompting calls for a more aggressive approach to energy development.
“It is past time to unleash American energy dominance,” said Senator Britt. “Alabama’s Gulf Coast plays an essential role in fueling our nation and supporting our national security. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to reverse leftwing policies and reckless federal overreach to drive down costs for hardworking Alabama families.”
The legislation seeks to restore consistent offshore leasing practices, mandating two sales annually and codifying a 2020 memorandum issued by former President Trump, which withdrew the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from leasing for the duration of the bill’s implementation. Proponents argue that this measure is critical for enhancing domestic energy production, reducing oil prices, and maintaining job security in energy-producing states like Alabama and Louisiana.
Senator Cassidy criticized the Biden Administration for what he described as a shutdown of offshore energy development, stating, “2024 was the first time in over 50 years there was not a single lease sale held in the Gulf. This distinctly violates the law, costs thousands of Louisiana jobs, drives up oil prices, and empowers foreign dictators. We’re putting an end to this.”
In addition to mandating lease sales, the Offshore Energy Security Act of 2025 specifies acreage for leasing, outlines lease terms and conditions, and ensures that existing environmental reviews are applied to the sales. The bill also seeks to protect issued leases and drilling permit applications from delays or invalidation due to civil litigation.
The legislation has garnered support from Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), who have cosponsored the measure. If enacted, the bill would provide a framework to support offshore energy development while addressing concerns about federal energy policies’ impact on the economy and national security.
