What does Rep. Scott Taylor think about offshore drilling, an issue that would have a dramatic impact on Taylor’s district, which runs along the coast from Maryland to North Carolina? It depends on which direction the political winds are blowing.
Back in 2010, during his first run for Congress, Scott Taylor was all in favor of offshore drilling. He outright dismissed concerns about the Navy being able to properly operate and train among oil rigs, saying, “I believe these (offshore drilling) efforts would not conflict with ongoing Naval, and NASA operations in the region.” Taylor also downplayed the risk of an environmental disaster.
Fast forward to 2016, when he ran for Congress again, Scott Taylor said that he was “neutral” on offshore drilling, whatever that means, and that it could be “safely done.”
Now, after failing to lead in the wake of the Trump Administration’s announcement that it plans to dramatically expand oil drilling in the Atlantic, Taylor told at least one media outlet that he opposes it, but has yet to post a public statement or take any action to oppose President Trump’s plan.
“Virginia’s coastal district deserves a representative with a clear, principled position on an issue as impactful as offshore drilling, not a calculating politician like Rep. Scott Taylor, who needs to know which way the political winds are blowing before he comments,” said DCCC spokesperson Jacob Peters. “Scott Taylor’s re-election prospects are growing weaker each day, and he knows it.”