[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1973-S1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HERE'S WEEKLY BOX SCORE ON U.S. FOREIGN OIL CONSUMPTION

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute reports 
that for the week ending February 28, the United States imported 
7,105,000 barrels of oil each day, 776,000 barrels more than the 
6,329,000 imported during the same week a year ago.
  Americans relied on foreign oil for 52.5 percent of their needs last 
week,

[[Page S1974]]

and there are no signs that the upward spiral will abate. Before the 
Persian Gulf war, the United States obtained approximately 45 percent 
of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil embargo 
in the 1970's, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of America's 
oil supply.
  Anybody else interested in restoring domestic production of oil--by 
U.S. producers using American workers? Politicians had better ponder 
the economic calamity sure to occur in America if and when foreign 
producers shut off our supply--or double the already enormous cost of 
imported oil flowing into the United States--now 7,105,000 barrels a 
day.

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