119-S-3082 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A bill to pause new federal offshore oil and gas leasing off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through June 30, 2032, while leaving any existing leases in place.

What It Does

S. 3082, the “American Shores Protection Act of 2025,” would bar the Interior Department from issuing new leases or other approvals to explore for or produce oil and natural gas in three federal offshore areas: the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, the South Atlantic, and the Straits of Florida. The moratorium would run from enactment through June 30, 2032, and it would not cancel any rights under leases that already exist.

Who’s For It

• Bill sponsors: Sens. Ashley Moody (R‑FL), Rick Scott (R‑FL), and Lindsey Graham (R‑SC).
• Typical supporters of measures like this include coastal tourism and fishing businesses, local governments in beach communities, and environmental groups, who argue it protects beaches, marine life, and military test ranges and avoids spill risks that could hurt regional economies.

Who’s Against It

• Oil and gas producers and pro‑drilling lawmakers often oppose regional leasing bans, saying they constrain domestic energy supply, reduce potential jobs and state–federal revenue sharing, and shift production to imports with fewer environmental safeguards.

What’s Next

The bill was introduced on October 30, 2025, and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. A subcommittee hearing was held on February 12, 2026. Next steps would typically include a full committee markup and vote before any possible Senate floor consideration.