[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6473]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             DRILLING BILLS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, where does our oil come from?
  Much of it comes from offshore drilling rigs scattered around the 
globe. From the North Sea to the South China Sea, there are thousands 
of rigs pumping oil that eventually finds its way to the American 
market. Exploration for oil and natural gas is growing in Egypt, 
Brazil, and dozens of other countries.
  But here in the United States, we are moving backwards. Leases and 
permits have been slow-walked and delayed--2011 was almost the first 
year since 1958 that the Federal Government did not hold an offshore 
lease sale.
  This week we are going to pass legislation to kick-start leases and 
increase production of American energy. The only reliable way to 
decrease gasoline prices is to increase domestic supply. If we don't 
act to expand access to American natural resources, we will see 
production fall this year.
  The American people want to get back to work, but high energy prices 
are holding back job growth. American jobs are on the line. That's why 
now is the time to boost American energy.

                          ____________________