U-S Senator Bill Nelson said today that he plans to ask the Senate to amend its offshore drilling bill to prohibit any compromise with the House. Both bills would allow new off shore drilling near Florida, but the House bill would allow it much closer to shore.
Nelson wants assurance, either through the amendment or from congressional leaders, that the bill negotiated by fellow Florida Senator Mel Martinez would not be watered down in conference committee negotiations with the House before he votes for it. A Senate vote is expected later this week.