Bush Will Veto Dem Drilling Bill: Drill, Baby, Drill in Two Weeks

The Patriot Room ^ | September 17, 2008 | Bill Dupray

[Bill Dupray]

Nancy Pelosi’s House of Representatives yesterday passed on a party line vote a drilling bill that effectively allows no drilling. She hates drilling, and this bill was solely an attempt to avoid becoming the Former Speaker of the House. The Senate bills aren’t any better. Wherever the House bill would allow limited drilling, say in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Senate bill would forbid it.

The real story is that the Republicans know they are on the winning side of this issue and if they can kill this legislation, the moratorium will expire on September 30, and drilling can begin everywhere. The Dems can expect a filibuster, and, if they get by that, a veto from the President.

[MaestroLC]

the moratorium will expire on September 30, and drilling can begin everywhere

How does that taste in your mouths, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid? Seems your 5-week vacation is costing you more than you thought. LOL. See ya in November, minority leaders....

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Did any Republican vote for Pelosi’s bill ?

[mwl8787]

will the RATS go for broke and shut down the govt over the moratorium expiring?

Bush Administration should have leases ready to roll on October 1.

[savedbygrace]

15 RINOs.

[Congressman Billybob]

Look for an interesting bench mark, when the moratorium on drilling expires. Remember when the relentless rise in crude oil prices and retail gas prices occurred? It occurred immediately after President Bush announced the removal of the Executive Order against offshore drilling.

My hypothesis is that that decision by Bush, even with the congressional ban still in force, effected the oil and gas markets. The proof of that may come as soon as 30 September.

If the price of oil and gas drop again, substantially, right after 30 September, then all rational observers will know that the mere existence of the ban on drilling -- which the Democrats avidly supported -- was a principal cause of the high price of oil and gas. Congressman Billybob

Click here -- I think you'll be surprised and delighted.

Latest article, "I, Obama"

[Dixie Yooper]

Michael Steele's speech at the convention was one of my favorites.

DRILL BABY DRILL!

So, who's got bumper stickers for this?

[Charles Martel]

I believe you meant to say that the relentless rise in crude oil prices and retail gas prices leveled-off and began reversing immediately after GWB revoked the EO.

I agree that the announcement of new leases will have the same effect.

[raptor29]

Yeah, that’s great George. 4 months left in your 8 year Administration and you finally discover the veto. Great job.

[Bill Dupray]

If it helps get McCain elected, we’ll take it. Timing is everything.

[PGalt]

BTTT! (thinking of your pictorial here, Chode)

[KevinDavis]

All we are saying is give drilling a chance!!!!

[definitelynotaliberal]

Soliciting your comment ping

[definitelynotaliberal]

I can’t wait. Thank you for posting that. It makes me very happy. And now, I’m off to be surprised and delighted. Thank you.

[Bishop_Malachi]

Here's the response I got back from my correspondence with Sen. Saxby Chambliss. I requested that he vote against the Senate bill. Here's the response:

Dear Mr. xxxxxxx :

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding energy and the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 . I appreciate hearing from you. I have also included a myth vs. fact sheet to dispel any inaccurate information.

As I am sure you know, I recently formed a bipartisan energy working group to craft legislation to address our current energy crisis. We came together because we all believe this issue is too important to fall victim to political games. I believe that Congress can not sit idle while Georgia families and businesses continue to suffer as a result of the escalating high cost of energy.

I fully support offshore drilling and believe we must utilize all of our domestic resources. Additional oil exploration and increased refining capacity here in the United States will continue to receive my support. It is important that we utilize the resources here in this country whether that includes oil in Alaska , the Outer Continental Shelf, or any of our oil sands or shales.

On Friday, August 1, 2008, the group unveiled the "New Energy Reform Act of 2008" (New ERA 2008). This comprehensive bipartisan energy plan focuses on increased domestic production, increased energy efficiency, and improved conservation in order to reduce the price of gas and secure our energy future.

The New Energy Reform Act of 2008 has three main components: first, targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources ; second, a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency; and third, an intensive effort to transition America 's vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels .

To help meet our energy needs, this bill would increase the amount of federal land that is open to oil and natural gas exploration. This would include opening the eastern Gulf of Mexico for production in a manner that is consistent with national security and our military training that occurs there. It would also allow the States of Georgia, North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia to opt in for drilling off their shores, while establishing a 50-mile coastal buffer zone for Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia where new oil production is not allowed.

To ease gas prices and protect our environment during the transition, the proposal includes a significant federal commitment to promoting conservation and efficiency. This includes extending renewable energy, carbon mitigation, and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012. Furthermore, it would extend and expand the $2,500 tax credit for hybrid electric vehicles. These tax credits will lead Americans to obtain highly fuel efficient vehicles by making them more affordable. These efforts will also provide the stability needed for the renewable energy industry.

The New ERA legislation funds a $20 billion "Apollo Project" like effort to support the goal of transitioning 85% of America 's new motor vehicles to non- petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. This will include $7.5 billion for the research and development of advanced batteries and other major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles. Another $7.5 billion will help U.S. automakers and parts makers re-tool and re-equip to become the world leader in making alternative fuel vehicles. Reaching this goal will not only allow the United States to be free from our dependence on foreign oil, it will benefit our economy by energizing our domestic auto manufacturers.

I will continue to work to address this issue. If we put as much effort into finding a solution to the energy crisis as we do in blaming one political party or another, we can solve this problem.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to address this critical issue. As the Senate moves forward, I will review energy legislation in accordance with these principles, and I will keep your comments in mind.

If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov . Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.

[Publius]

With the drilling ban expiring on 9/30, everything that has been going on in Congress has been for show. It’s political gamesmanship. In the end it won’t matter. The R’s have made their point.

[definitelynotaliberal]

What point? That the Dems are in the way? Or is there a larger point?

[kcvl]

Wouldn’t this bill put 80% of offshore drilling areas off limits FOREVER?!

[Publius]

What argument did the D's have for obstructing drilling? That they are against carbon-based fuels? That they want to protect Mother Earth? As soon as gasoline topped $4 per gallon, average Americans said, "Bring that price down, and f*** Mother Earth! If drilling will help, then drill, g*ddammit! No more bulls*** excuses!" The D's had no argument that anyone outside the Hard Left would buy. It was about money now.

With the drilling ban expiring on 9/30, there was no chance that Bush would agree to its renewal, even if the provision was an amendment to a completely different and necessary bill. He would have warmed up his veto pen. The R's could have said and done nothing, and the drilling ban would have lapsed. Legally, the R's didn't have to do anything.

But in politics, you have to know when to go in for the kill. Gingrich had that instinct. I don't know if Boehner has it, but those R's who ran a renegade session of the House to make this point over drilling sure understood it! They are heroes and political geniuses. The only thing that took the drilling issue out of public view was the Palin phenomenon, which eclipsed it, but in a good way.

The D's want to save face, but it's too late. They are on the record now. The public's impression is one of obstructionism. They're screwing the pooch on this one. Why stand in their way?

[definitelynotaliberal]

I cannot believe that Pelosi chose to put the spotlight on herself and her party on this. It seems surreal.