The Hill News

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) confirmed on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that the Interior Department would be lifting its freeze on deepwater oil-and-gas drilling. 

"Just spoke to Interior Dept: drilling moratorium to be lifted today," he tweeted. "Great news for Louisiana economy and workers." 

The New York Times had reported that the announcement would come on Tuesday.

The Interior Department also said that a decision was "imminent" but that it was unknown when drilling projects would resume.

Gulf Coast Republicans have consistently criticized the ban, imposed by President Obama after the BP oil spill, for harming the economy and eliminating jobs.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) caused a stir in late September when she announced that she would block the White House's nomination of Jacob Lew to head the Office of Management and Budget u! ntil the ban was lifted or toned down.

On Twitter Tuesday, Melancon also added a plug for his measure to "prevent defacto moratorium" by the Interior Department by requiring that it make decisions on drilling permits within 30 days.  

The amendment â€" approved by the House but not the Senate prior to its recess â€" has been a subject of debate with Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who Melancon is attempting to unseat.

"Reports surfacing that Obama will 'lift' moratorium 'very soon.' Concerned he'll replace w/ de facto moratorium," Vitter also tweeted on Tuesday.