Posted on 04/20/2005 1:51:29 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush onWednesday urged the US Congress to pass a long-stalled energy billbefore its summer recess but he also acknowledged there is nothing he can do to ease rising gas prices in the short-term.
Bush made the call as the US House of Representative began considering a broad energy bill that includes 8.1 billion in tax breaks, mostly for energy companies, and would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil development.
"Members of Congress can send an important signal that they are serious about solving America's energy problems by getting a bill to my desk before the summer recess," he said in a speech to a conference of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"Today millions of American families and small businesses are hurting because of higher gasoline prices," Bush said.
He also said that America's energy supply is not growing fast enough to meet its economic demands and that has left the nation more dependent on foreign sources of energy.
Bush said reducing dependence on foreign energy sources is "a matter of national security."
The US president also acknowledged there is nothing he can do to ease rising gas prices in the short-term. US Energy Department has predicted that the gasoline prices are likely to remain well above 2 a gallon through the busy summer driving season.
BUMP
Gotta hand this to Bush, this is one thing he is doing VERY right for sure. Now, to the Congress -- you own it all Repubs, get the legislation PASSED!!!! THEN MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
Yes, definately about time. We had better accelerate hydrogen fuel cell research and expand our nuclear plant capabilities. Even ethenol converted to diesel. You think these prices are bad, just wait another decade when we are paying $5.00 for a gallon of gas and heating oil.
It's not going to happen there's no leadership in the Republican Senate.
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