The moratorium is achieved not through banning drilling but rather through not funding the Department of Interior branch that sells the land leases associated with the ‘moratorium’ acres. Every year, congress must pass an appropriations bill for the Department of Interior, which outlines the budget for the Department and funds the agency responsible for land-leases. The moratorium is achieved by not funding the sale of leases on this acreage. The annual appropriations bill runs on a fiscal year from October 1st to September 30th when it must be renewed.
If the appropriations bill for the Department of Interior is not renewed by September 30th, then the lack of funding for the sale of Land-Leases still exists. Without appropriation, the Department cannot sell the leases to allow drilling.
Currently, Republicans on the appropriations committee have fought to add an amendment to the appropriations bill with no avail as Reid and Pelosi continue to block efforts. When the bill does come up in September, they will try again; but Pelosi & Reid will continue to use parliamentary procedure to block the amendments.
Can you explain how the parliamentary procedure works that prevents Republicans from bringing up the amendment? Thanks.