This just in.....

Bush Says Dems Share Blame For High Gas Prices

Urges Congress To End Ban On Offshore Oil Drilling

POSTED: 8:48 am PDT June 21, 2008

UPDATED: 9:33 am PDT June 21, 2008

WHITE HOUSE -- President George W. Bush said Democrats in Congress keep blocking his energy proposals, and so they share some of the blame for high gasoline prices.

In his Saturday radio address, Bush urged Congress to end its long-standing ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. He said offshore drilling could yield up to 18 billion barrels of oil over time, although it would take years for production to start.

There are two prohibitions on offshore drilling, one imposed by Congress and another by an executive order from Bush's father in 1990.

The president also wants to ease the regulatory process to expand oil refining capacity and lift restrictions on oil shale leasing in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Oil shale is a type of rock that can produce oil when exposed to heat and other processes.

In response, Democrats said opening more land to drilling is not the answer to high oil prices.

West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall said America can't drill its way to energy independence.

Rahall, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, gave the Democratic response to Bush's radio address Saturday. Bush said Democrats in Congress deserve some of the blame for high prices because they're too stubborn when it comes to new energy exploration.

Rahall said a substantial amount of federal land is already available for exploration and drilling, but sits unused while the industry enjoys record profits.

He said Republicans seem more interested in continuing to line the pockets of big oil.




I just read this on NBC11.com I am SO glad Bush is finally speaking out about gas prices and who is to blame. So many people want to pin this on the President. Well, he's not the one making all of the decisions. I have to send this article to soooooo many people now. Gotta go!