The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that “Republican Rep. Susan Brooks of Indiana is quick to point out that she represents a coal state. But she said there are plenty of lessons she can take back home from her time spent touring an oil and gas platform off the Louisiana coast and bustling Port Fourchon with fellow House members this week.”  

“Brooks was one among a group of House GOP members led by Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, that spent Tuesday (May 13) touring south Louisiana oil and gas facilities. Also joining the tour were Republican Reps. Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, and Steve Womack of Arkansas.”  

“The group held roundtable discussions with various industry stakeholders at Port Fourchon, which handles the majority of traffic to and from oil and gas platforms and drilling rigs offshore. The group also visited the ConocoPhillips Magnolia platform, which operates in 4,500 feet of water 180 miles off the coastline.”