Posted on 06/18/2008 6:16:16 PM PDT by silent_jonny
My administration has repeatedly called on Congress to expand domestic oil production. Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal -- and now Americans are paying the price at the pump for this obstruction.Congress must face a hard reality: Unless Members are willing to accept gas prices at today's painful levels -- or even higher -- our nation must produce more oil. And we must start now.
In a statement delivered this morning in the White House Rose Garden, President Bush urged Democrats in Congress to lift their near 30 year ban on offshore drilling, to finally allow drilling in ANWR, and to end their over 30 year ban on the construction of new oil refineries. (Transcript)
I know the Democratic leaders have opposed some of these policies in the past. Now that their opposition has helped drive gas prices to record levels, I ask them to reconsider their positions.If congressional leaders leave for the 4th of July recess without taking action, they will need to explain why $4-a-gallon gasoline is not enough incentive for them to act.
And Americans will rightly ask how high oil -- how high gas prices have to rise before the Democratic-controlled Congress will do something about it.
Rush Limbaugh: He nailed it. This is exactly what the Democrats are going to do. Congress is willing to accept gas prices at today's painful levels. They are more than happy to accept gas prices at today's painful levels … What's bad for America is great for the Democrats. What's great for America is bad for the Democrats. So they're going to dig in, they've already started to dig in to oppose this. They want you in pain, 'cause they want your anger directed at the administration, therefore you'll want ‘change’, which is the Democrats …
Drill here. Drill now. Pay less. Folks, this is the issue. It's not the equivalent of going to the moon, but it is close. This is a goal, a national goal, to become energy independent. We have the crude. We have the supply. We have it. We just have to go get it. And you don't get it by sitting around waiting. You gotta take the first step. (Source)
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Speaking of Congress, President Bush vetoed their bloated "Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008" today at the White House.
For a year and a half, I have consistently asked that the Congress pass a good farm bill that I can sign. Regrettably, the Congress has failed to do so. At a time of high food prices and record farm income, this bill lacks program reform and fiscal discipline...
It would needlessly expand the size and scope of government. Americans sent us to Washington to achieve results and be good stewards of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. This bill violates that fundamental commitment. (Transcript)
Later, the president met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev in the Oval Office. (Transcript)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Kenya's Prime Minister Ralia Odinga at the State Department, and spoke at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the Day:
President Bush: We will take pressure off gas prices over time by expanding the amount of American-made oil and gasoline. We will strengthen our national security by reducing our reliance on foreign oil. We will benefit American workers by keeping our nation competitive in the global economy -- and by creating good jobs in construction, and engineering, and refining, maintenance, and many other areas.The proposals I've outlined will take years to have their full impact. There is no excuse for delay -- as a matter of fact, it's a reason to move swiftly.
Photo of the Day:
President George W. Bush speaks about high gas prices while delivering a statement about energy in the Rose Garden at the White House June 18, 2008 in Washington, DC.
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Hi!
Thanks. :) How are you?
President George W. Bush walks with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne (L) and Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman through the colonnade to make a statement on oil drilling and energy in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington June 18, 2008.
President Bush, flanked by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, left, and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, gestures while making a statement on energy, Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.
President Bush: For many Americans, there is no more pressing concern than the price of gasoline. Truckers and farmers and small business owners have been hit especially hard. Every American who drives to work, purchases food, or ships a product has felt the effect. And families across our country are looking to Washington for a response.… Now much of the oil consumed in America comes from abroad -- that's what's changed dramatically over the last couple of decades. Some of that energy comes from unstable regions and unfriendly regimes. This makes us more vulnerable to supply shocks and price spikes beyond our control -- and that puts both our economy and our security at risk.
President Bush: Republicans in Congress have proposed several promising bills that would lift the legislative ban on oil exploration in the OCS [Outer Continental Shelf]. I call on the House and the Senate to pass good legislation as soon as possible. This legislation should give the states the option of opening up OCS resources off their shores, provide a way for the federal government and states to share new leasing revenues, and ensure that our environment is protected.There's also an executive prohibition on exploration in the OCS. When Congress lifts the legislative ban, I will lift the executive prohibition.
President Bush: … we should expand oil production by tapping into the extraordinary potential of oil shale. Oil shale is a type of rock that can produce oil when exposed to heat or other process[es].In one major deposit -- the Green River Basin of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming -- there lies the equivalent of about 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That's more than three times larger than the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. And it can be fully recovered -- and if it can be fully recovered it would be equal to more than a century's worth of currently projected oil imports.
President Bush: Companies have invested in technology to make oil shale production more affordable and efficient …Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress are standing in the way of further development. In last year's omnibus spending bill, Democratic leaders inserted a provision blocking oil shale leasing on federal lands. That provision can be taken out as easily as it was slipped in -- and Congress should do so immediately.
President Bush: … we should expand American oil production by permitting exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR.When ANWR was created in 1980, Congress specifically reserved a portion for energy development.
In 1995, Congress passed legislation allowing oil production in this small fraction of ANWR's 19 million acres. With a drilling footprint of less than 2,000 acres -- less than one-tenth of 1 percent of this distant Alaskan terrain -- America could produce an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil. That is roughly the equivalent of two decades of imported oil from Saudi Arabia. Yet my predecessor vetoed this bill.
President Bush: There is no excuse for delay -- as a matter of fact, it's a reason to move swiftly.I know the Democratic leaders have opposed some of these policies in the past. Now that their opposition has helped drive gas prices to record levels, I ask them to reconsider their positions. If congressional leaders leave for the 4th of July recess without taking action, they will need to explain why $4-a-gallon gasoline is not enough incentive for them to act. And Americans will rightly ask how high oil -- how high gas prices have to rise before the Democratic-controlled Congress will do something about it.
I know this is a trying time for our families, but our country has faced similar strains before and we've overcome them together -- and we can do that again. With faith in the innovative spirit of our people and a commitment to results in Washington, we will meet the energy challenges we face -- and keep our economy the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world.
I’m doing fine :) How about you?
That is good to hear. I can’t complain
I don't understand this. Why can't Bush issue the Executive Order first and then put ALL the pressure on Congress to remove the ban. That way, he can point to Congress for any and all the inaction and delays.
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