Klein Statement on President's Decision to Lift Offshore Oil Drilling Ban

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's decision to lift the Executive Ban on offshore oil drilling. Congressman Klein recently introduced his own plan to deal with high gas prices in the short-term and long-term. His plan is available by clicking here.

"I am extremely disappointed in the President's decision to lift the Executive Ban on offshore oil drilling. This short-sighted strategy will not lower gas prices a single penny this year, next year, or in ten years, according to experts who have testified before Congress.

"We must focus on real solutions that will bring immediate relief at the gas pump in the short term and end our addiction to oil in the long term. These solutions include demanding the oil companies drill the 68,000,000 acres of public land they already control, cracking down on price gougers and speculators driving up oil prices and expanding clean energy tax credits for
businesses and families.

"Make no mistake - if we allow the oil companies to drill our offshore land, production will not start for a decade, and there will be no impact on oil prices until 2030. I don't think Americans can wait 22 years for relief at the pump. That is why I will continue fighting for real relief, and why we must focus our efforts, and tax breaks, not on the oil companies, but on alternative energy sources that have the greatest promise for bringing down prices now and in the future.

"There is no question that American families are struggling to keep up with rising gas prices, and they need relief now, but we in Congress will reject the failed policies of the Bush Administration and their friends at the oil companies and fight for real solutions to this critical
problem."

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