Whereas public leaders have attempted to coerce damages from energy companies with frivolous lawsuits and investigations, including— (1) on July 24, 2013, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East filed lawsuits against nearly 100 energy companies, alleging liability for flooding in New Orleans; (2) on April 7, 2016, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and his administration joined in 39 lawsuits against energy companies, alleging liability for damages to the coast of Louisiana; (3) on September 21, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards sent letters to 16 Louisiana parishes directing them to file similar lawsuits against energy companies for alleged damages; 4 additional parishes have since joined the lawsuits; and (4) on March 29, 2019, the city of New Orleans filed lawsuits against 11 energy companies, alleging liability for damages to the coast of Louisiana; Whereas these actions are not in the spirit of good governance; Whereas these actions create more problems than they intend to fix; Whereas these unseemly tactics are nothing more than a cynical attempt to use the power of government to shake down energy companies in order to fund public works; Whereas these actions deter the safe development of the vast natural resources of the United States, and hinder economic growth; Whereas the United States has thrived and tackled its greatest challenges by fostering a cooperative spirit with business and industry; Whereas Federal revenues generated from mineral production contribute to the conservation and preservation of national parks and other public lands; Whereas without the revenues generated by oil and gas production, coastal restoration projects in Louisiana would not be possible; Whereas the oil and natural gas industries are responsible for millions of American jobs and for adding trillions of dollars to the economy; Whereas the production of oil and natural gas has provided affordable and reliable sources of energy to billions of people around the world