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US Lawmakers seem poised to vote on lifting the federal ban on offshore oil drilling before the end of the month. The US Senate will look at two proposals to lift the ban and let individual states decide if they want drilling in their waters. One bill would allow drilling 50 miles off the coast of Florida and four other states in the Southeast. Governor Charlie Crist said states should have the right to choose.

“We have a tourist industry that’s incredibly important but I also understand the fact that we’ve become extraordinarily too dependant on foreign oil. Our founding fathers understood when they signed the declaration of independence, we need to be independent and that’s important and I would encourage our member of congress to support the opportunity to at least give state’s the individual freedom to make that decision,” said Crist.

Florida US Senator Bill Nelson voiced his opposition to lifting the ban and hinted at a possible filibuster if pro-drilling legislation gains too much support.