U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer made the following statement after voting last night to support H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009, which includes provisions funding the government until March 2009.
"Energy Freedom Day is October 1, at the start of the new fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2008, Congress had a choice to either continue the ban that has existed or allow it to expire. I am very pleased that this ban has been allowed to finally expire and I voted to make that happen.
"The American people demand a comprehensive approach to the current energy crisis. This piece of legislation finally takes a step in the right direction. By lifting the outdated ban on offshore drilling, we can begin to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
"However, this is only a small victory in the battle to lower gas prices and secure our energy independence. We must continue to develop our renewable energy sources while at the same time promoting conservation and efficiency. The American people deserve clean, affordable and reliable energy."
"This August, I was pleased to join with many of my Republican colleagues on the House floor demanding that Congress return to pass commonsense legislation that expands America's supply of domestic petroleum resources, by passing this critical legislation, Americans can claim victory by being a step closer to affordable and domestically produced oil and gas."