Key committee votes on Gulf oil, gas activity

For the first time in nearly 35 years, a US government panel met this morning to consider exempting oil-and-gas activities in the Gulf from protections in the Endangered Species Act. Let's bring in CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul, who's been following this for us. And, Shanelle, what can you tell us about the US meeting and the panel's conclusion? Well, Mugo, this is a rarely used US government panel. They've been nicknamed the God Squad. And the last time they met-- you mentioned this-- was back in 1992. So why are they meeting today? Well, today the committee was looking at considering continuing oil-and-gas drilling operations in the Gulf but without protections for endangered species. So a big decision. We heard from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He was part of opening remarks here, and he basically was making the case that this is a matter of national security, he says. He also says any kind of litigation against this basically is standing in the way of supply, he said. Take a listen. And litigation diverts critical federal resources away from approving, managing, and regulating oil-and-gas activities and creates uncertainty over the industry's development. These legal battles waste critical government resources and make it impossible for energy companies to plan and invest in new projects. When development in the Gulf is chilled, we are prevented from producing the energy we need as a country and as a department. All right, Mugo, so why does this matter? Well, the Gulf produces over 10% of US oil, and America is now hoping to expand on that drilling. So that's why we're talking about this today. Those brief remarks were followed by a vote. Ultimately, this committee voted to allow the government to make this exemption. Also hearing, though, today from critics and environmental advocates. They are condemning this move. They're saying that it can actually drive whale extinction. They're also saying it could set a dangerous precedent for wildlife protections in the future nationwide.

All right, Shanelle Kaul, thank you so much for joining us and for that reporting. Appreciate it.