Executive Offshore Protection Gone TAMPA (WUSF) - This afternoon, President Bush lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling that had been in place since his father's term.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson says the elimination of executive protections against offshore drilling will not directly affect Florida's West Coast. Nelson helped pass legislation two years ago that protects the Gulf of Mexico from further drilling in part because it's a military training area.

Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Tampa pointed out that even Florida's biggest business lobby admits that offshore drilling will not lower gas prices.

Republicans U.S. Senator Mel Martinez and Gov. Charlie Crist have recently lifted their objections to offshore drilling.
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