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Bush to Congress: Allow more drilling |
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By Andy Barr
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Posted: 07/11/08 01:19 PM [ET] |
President Bush urged Congress on Friday to open offshore waters and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to oil drilling.
In comments to reporters following a meeting with his economic team at the Department of Energy, Bush said one of the main reasons for high gas prices is because demand for crude oil is exceeding supply.
“One way to deal with supply problems is to increase supply here in America,” Bush said.
He blamed Democrats in Congress for blocking drilling off the coast and in ANWR, and pressed House leaders to address rising oil prices before the August recess.
“Members of Congress, particularly the Democratic leadership, must address this issue before they go home for this upcoming August break. They have a responsibility to explain to their constituents why we should not be drilling for more oil here in America to take pressure off of gasoline prices,” Bush said.
Some Democrats have expressed interest in opening up more areas for drilling, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday made it clear she would work to block such a move.
“This call for drilling in areas that are protected is a hoax, it’s an absolute hoax on the part of the Republicans and this administration,” Pelosi said.
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