Energy & Environment

A group of Democratic senators are calling on President Bush to demand that oil producing countries increase the output of oil production.

"Your administration has shown a callous indifference to the pain these high prices are inflicting on American families," the senators wrote in a letter sent to Bush Thursday. "At the same time, your administration has coddled Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nations whose actions have contributed to this crisis."

The senators hope that an increase in the oil supply will lead to lower energy costs. The letter was sent as the price of a barrel of crude oil reached more than $117. The average cost of a gallon of regular gas in the United States is more than $3.50.

The Democratic senators who signed the letter include Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Bob Casey (Pa.), Byron Dorgan (N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Mary Landrieu (La.). Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) also signed it.

In the letter, they ask the president why he hasn't asked three OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, to increase oil production when all three countries have entered into arms deals with the United States.

The senators' full letter is after the jump. Read more...

Save the Whales was a movement that started in 1977 and soared in the 1980s. Save the Sharks could be next, or at least that's what Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and seven other legislators were hoping for when they introduced a shark conservation measure on Thursday.

The Bordallo measure would seek to eliminate "an enforcement loophole" related to the transport of shark fins. In a floor speech, Bordallo said, "The rising demand for shark fins over past decades has also led to increases in the particularly exploitive practice of shark finning, where fins of sharks are removed and the carcass is discarded at sea."

Sharks don't attract any sympathy from beachgoers who fear a "Jaws"-like demise, but Bordallo says saving the sharks is vital to conserve marine ecosystems.

The other backers of the measure are Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Charlie Gonzales (D-Texas), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). and Dels. Donna Christensen (D-V.I.) and Eni Faleomavaega (D-A.S.).

On April Fool's Day House Minority Leader John Boehner lightened up a House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming hearing today with "testimony" from Colombian President Hugo Chavez.

In the prank testimony, Chavez thanked House Democrats for their "ongoing assistance" to his "socialist regime"and said "it is comforting to know that I have such strong allies in the House Democratic Majority." Read the full testimony Boehner presented to the committee after the jump

Read more...

The Hill's Managing Editor Bob Cusack gives a preview of the week ahead in Congress.