Obama Team Weighs in on Cuban Drilling off Florida Coast

The White House contacted Sunshine State News with a statement late Tuesday regarding Florida Republican U.S. Rep. David Riveras battle against Cuban efforts to drill in international waters off the Sunshine State.

The administration is committed to protecting our natural resources and to holding polluters accountable, and this is why we are actively pursuing efforts to expedite response and minimize risks to U.S. waters and shorelines in the event of an oil spill in foreign waters, said Joanna Rosholm, a White House spokeswoman, in a statement emailed to Sunshine State News. In addition to the existing authorities that we have to conduct response operations, we look forward to working with Congress to expand the statutory authority that would enable us to hold parties responsible in such an event consistent with our international responsibilities.