Democrats compromise on oil drilling

Congressional Democrats want tax breaks for big oil companies repealed in return for supporting expanded off-shore oil drilling.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill Monday to pick up where they left off in their bitter fight over energy legislation — whether to allow more off-shore oil drilling to help relieve the sky-high price of gasoline that is hurting the economy and infuriating voters.

While there were signs of compromise over the August recess, many on Capitol Hill are skeptical a deal can be reached that would send a bill to the president’s desk before the election.


Aides and congressional members from both parties acknowledge finger pointing is likely to trump legislative deal making during the truncated three week session before lawmakers return home to campaign for re-election.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, who long-resisted Republican-led calls to lift the ban on off-shore oil drilling, changed course over the recess and now say they will push comprehensive energy plans in September that will include expanded drilling.

But Democrats will insist energy bills also include their own priorities, such as repealing tax breaks for big oil companies, something many Republicans oppose.

“If this is going to be a fig leaf, a political document, than it’s doomed to failure at the end of the day,” Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., said Friday about the package House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is formulating.

CNN