U.S. Sen. George LeMieux has called for a hold on legislation that would end the federal ban on gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, a move that follows through on a pledge he made immediately after being sworn in last week.

"Given the important of this issue to Florida, I would like to be consulted before any efforts or agreements are reached to advance legislation dealing with drilling in the Gulf of Mexico," LeMieux wrote in a letter to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

The procedural move speaks to the "unanimous consent" rules that govern the Senate agenda.