[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6015-H6016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEMOCRATS OFFER A NEW ENERGY POLICY THAT REJECTS THE FAILED POLICIES OF
THE PAST
(Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, with two former oil executives in the White
House, is it any wonder why gas prices are at a record high? President
Bush's energy policy, created in secret by Vice President Cheney and by
Big Oil, leaves us dangerously dependent on foreign oil, and it hurts
our economy and American families.
Washington Republicans only offer more drilling, even though 68
million acres of Federal oil reserves are already open and leased for
development. New drilling won't lower prices for years to come. In
fact, drilling in the pristine Alaskan Wildlife Refuge wouldn't yield
oil for 10 years, and in 22 years, it would only save consumers about 2
cents a gallon.
Mr. Speaker, if congressional Republicans really are interested in
helping consumers at the pump today, they will join us this week in
passing legislation that forces Big Oil to either drill
[[Page H6016]]
where they already have leases or to lose those leases. It's time Big
Oil uses it or loses it.
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