[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

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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.