    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 30, 2008]
    [Pages 1065-1066]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting
    July 30, 2008

        Good morning. I just finished a good Cabinet meeting, and I want to
    thank the members of my Cabinet for serving our country. We discussed
    the challenges facing our economy, amongst other things, and we spent
    time on the high gasoline prices. Every one of our citizens who drives
    to work or runs a small business is feeling the squeeze of rising prices
    at the pump, and they expect their elected leaders in Washington to take
    some commonsense action.
        To reduce pressure on prices, we need to increase the supply of oil,
    especially here at home. So in June, I called on Congress to lift the
    legislative ban that prevents offshore exploration on the Outer
    Continental Shelf. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in Congress have
    refused to allow a vote. And now Congress is about to leave for its
    August recess without taking any action on this vital priority for the
    American people.
        There is now a growing agreement across our country that the
    Government should permit the exploration and development of these
    offshore oil resources.
        Exploration of the OCS would increase our supply of oil here at
    home. Experts believe that currently restricted areas of the OCS could
    eventually produce up to about 18 billion barrels of oil; that's almost
    10 years worth of America's current oil production.
        Exploration of the OCS would also create jobs for our citizens.
    Yesterday I visited the Lincoln Electric Company in Cleveland, Ohio.
    It's a business that produces welding products used for offshore
    exploration. If Congress were to permit exploration of the OCS, it would
    mean jobs at businesses such as these. American drivers on--are counting
    on Congress to lift the ban on offshore exploration, and so are American
    workers.
        Bringing OCS resources on line is going to take time, and that means
    that the need for congressional action is urgent. So I've lifted the
    executive restrictions on offshore

    [[Page 1066]]

    exploration. I've done my part. And that means the only thing now--
    standing now between the American people and these vast oil resources is
    the United States Congress. The sooner Congress lifts the ban, the
    sooner we can get this oil from the ocean floor to your gas tank.
        Some Members of Congress say they object to exploration of the OCS,
    but they are in favor of other actions, such as taking oil out of the
    Nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Well, if you agree that we need
    more oil, it makes no sense to say you're for draining our Nation's
    limited strategic reserve but against tapping into the vast resources of
    the Outer Continental Shelf.
        America needs to take every reasonable and responsible step we can
    do to reduce pressure on gasoline and energy prices. That's precisely
    what my administration is doing. We're working to expand domestic oil
    production. And at the same time, we're working to speed the development
    of new clean and alternative energy resources. We're raising fuel
    efficiency standards, expanding the use of alternative fuels, and
    investing in next-generation fuels such as cellulosic ethanol and
    biodiesel. We're investing in new advanced batteries and plug-in hybrids
    and hydrogen fuel cells. We're working to expand the use of clean, safe
    nuclear power, solar and wind power, and clean coal technology. With
    these steps, we're enhancing America's energy security and increasing
    the supply of clean, safe energy made right here in the United States of
    America.
        The time for action is now. This is a difficult period for millions
    of American families. Every extra dollar they have to spend because of
    high gas prices is one less dollar they can use to put food on the table
    or to pay the rent or meet their mortgages. The American people are
    rightly frustrated by the failure of Democratic leaders in Congress to
    enact commonsense solutions, like the development of the oil resources
    on the Outer Continental Shelf.
        There are now just a couple of days left before Congress leaves for
    its August recess. Legislation to open up this offshore exploration is
    pending in both the House and the Senate, and all the Democratic leaders
    have to do is to allow a vote. They should not leave Washington without
    doing so.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:59 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.