Bush to urge lifting of ban on offshore drilling

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President George W. Bush on Wednesday will call on Congress to pass legislation lifting a ban on offshore oil drilling as he seeks remedies to record-high energy prices, the White House said.

“With gasoline now over $4 a gallon, tomorrow he will explicitly call on Congress to also pass legislation lifting the congressional ban on safe, environmentally friendly offshore oil drilling,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said on Tuesday.

Differences over energy policy have led to a political spat between Republicans and Democrats, and how to deal with soaring gasoline prices has emerged as a major issue in the presidential campaigns before the November election.

Republicans have called for ending a ban on offshore drilling that has been in place since 1981, but Democrats have repeatedly rebuffed such attempts, citing environmental concerns.

Reuters