The Trump administration offered more than 80 million acres (32.4 million hectares) in the Gulf of Mexico to drillers as part of an effort to boost domestic energy production with regular offshore lease sales. The sale is the second since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupted global crude flows and sent oil prices to four-year highs. Trump's predecessor, former President Joe Biden, campaigned in 2020 on blocking offshore lease sales but held them sporadically after lawsuits. “Today’s lease sale is about far more than today’s bids," said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association. "This lease sale is another unacceptable giveaway that threatens wildlife, coastal economies, and the livelihoods of the people who depend on a healthy Gulf," Forgie said.