WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding a ruling Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans overturning the Obama administration's six-month moratorium on deepwater offshore energy exploration.  The administration has indicated it will likely appeal the decision:

"The blanket moratorium on deepwater drilling added hardship to an already difficult situation on the Gulf Coast.  As I understand it, the judge's ruling seems sound.  I hope the administration will now take a more reasoned approach to determining the true risks associated with offshore energy exploration in the Gulf."