House Republicans Block Democratic Effort on Oil Leases, Calling the Bill a Sham

[maddezmom]

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic effort to pressure energy companies into drilling for oil on lands they already leased from the federal government, calling the legislation a sham.

~snip~

The White House expressed a similar view in issuing a veto threat against the bill. “By blocking some firms from competing for new leases, this legislation would further increase gasoline prices that already exceed $4 per gallon and result in unintended consequences due to litigation,” the White House said.

Democrats said they were calling the bluff of Republicans on their persistent demands for more domestic production. “Drill on the leases you have or let somebody else do it,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader.

~snip~

“Let there be no mistake about it,” said Representative Nick J. Rahall II, Democrat of West Virginia and chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. “As Democrats, we are pro-drilling. We are for drilling now. We are for drilling in areas that bring near-term relief to the American public.”

Democrats say oil companies are sitting on 68 million acres they could be exploring. But Republicans say many of those sites have proved to be dry holes or are the subject of lawsuits and disputes over federal permits. They said that energy companies need new stock and that technological improvements have made drilling less of an environmental threat.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/us/18cong.html?_r=1&ref=washington&oref=slogin

[gratuitous]

1. More like this, please

"Democrats said they were calling the bluff of Republicans."

Want to see Congress' approval ratings soar into double digits, Nancy and Harry? Do this more often. Now let the Republicans go into lengthy explanations and excuses for the oil companies and why they're not using the leases they already have. The White House statement about "unintended consequences" is just laughable.

[liberal N proud]

2. There are NO near term relief solutions

Who do these people think they are fooling?

Only about 70% of the stupid Americans thanks to the propaganda coupled with the pain at the pump.

We will destroy our pristine beaches for a few drops of oil in 10 years. THEN WHAT?

[Democrats_win]

5. Don't forget conservation: Example: reduce mail delivery to 5 days per week.

Heck, sometimes I get my mail after 5:30. In effect, I'm getting my mail 5 days a week anyway.

[bdamomma]

7. I am totally against this drilling haven't they screwed the

environment enough, now they want to ruin both coasts. They have got to go.

[eagertolearn]

10. A few drops of oil that will be sent elsewhere to get the higher price!

[Democrats_win]

3. Shout it from the mountain tops: Big oil isn't drilling on the land they already have!

[caledesi]

6. Yes. SHOUT! nt

[Ian David]

4. Take what you eat, but eat what you take. No seconds until you clean your plate.

Why should the oil companies be allowed to make a second trip to the buffet table while their plate is still full?

[Tafiti]

8. 68 million acres.

"Proved to be dry holes" - yeah right. 68 million acres. That's roughly the size of Nevada. Yeah, I'm sure they've explored it all.

[flashl]

9. Post in another article

See - Is it about oil?

[nvme]

11. it not just beach that gets killed here

It disgusts me to think that the oil companies run the repub party. the cost of oil per barrel supports any investment the oil companies want to make in securing more supply. I worry about the impact of the openning of new sites nere my home state of Florida our ecosystem is taxed as it is. we have some extremely delicate environmental issues here. Florida everglades. Floridas stone crabbing and fishing industries also our tourism is affected. We are a tourism agricultural state. I don't want to swim through a river of sludge where our sea of grass was. I still see how exxon is fucking the alaskan fisherman. it only takes one spill to destroy what has been cultivated by billions of years of cultivation.

[Lorentz]

12. "Democratic legislation will result in higher gas prices."

That's the new version of "Democrats will raise taxes". It doesn't matter that it's not true, either. The GOP have framed this debate as "Unless you give us what we want (more oil $$$), then gas prices will go up." It's emotional blackmail.

Why can the Dems beat them to the punch on this one? Beat them at their own game. All they have to do is repeat the phrase "Republicans want higher gas prices".

[Veilex]

13. the sad part is...

Emotional blackmail works on the un-educated.

[zeemike]

14. They play the win win game with us

It is win win for them because the Dem's win our approval even though they will produce noting and the Rethugs win by saying they are trying to reduce gas prices.
And they play to there base for our attention, to keep us busy and to demoralize us when they win.
The glories of victory and the agony of defeat, just like on the tv.

Dam it I am feeling so negative. But this may well be the truth because it happens over and over again, so it has to be manufactured.

[robinlynne]

15. let them make solar.