Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke called on Congress on Wednesday to put a stop to oil drilling off the US coasts.

The former congressman from Texas is asking members of Congress to pass South Carolina Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham's Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act , which would place a moratorium on offshore drilling and prohibit the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from offering any new tracts for oil and gas leasing or preleasing off the California, Oregon and Washington state coastline and the Atlantic Coast.

Offshore drilling is a key political issue in South Carolina, an early voting state. A number of 2020 Democratic candidates have staked out their opposition to it as they try to make headway in the state. O'Rourke, who has made five trips to South Carolina since announcing his candidacy, has previously stated his opposition, including at last week's CNN climate town hall.

Cunningham represents the coastal 1st Congressional District in the Palmetto State and his opposition to offshore drilling was a major factor in the 2018 election, when he flipped a seat that had been held by a Republican since 1981.

"Offshore drilling threatens the local wildlife and water of communities in South Carolina and across the country while also undermining economic opportunity," O'Rourke said in a news release. "Thanks to Congressman Cunningham's tremendous leadership in the fight for our climate and our future, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act is receiving a vote today on the floor of the House of Representatives. I urge Congress to pass this bill, which is a critical step forward in fighting climate change and preserving our environment."