Lewis Hails White House Decision to Lift Executive Ban on Off-Shore Drilling

Lewis Hails White House Decision to Lift Executive Ban on Off-Shore Drilling 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Jerry Lewis released the following statement on the decision by President Bush to lift the decades-long executive ban on off-shore drilling:

 “President Bush has done the right thing by lifting his executive order banning off-shore drilling. The President’s action today sends a signal that Republicans in Washington are listening to calls to address our nation’s energy crisis.

 “It is now up to Congress to lift restrictions on offshore drilling and provide real solutions to lower our record-high gas prices. The best vehicle to pass these much-needed policies is the FY 2009 Interior Appropriations bill, which has been prevented from being considered by the majority party. It is time to put politics aside and consider this critically important legislation, let off-shore drilling have an up-or-down vote, and prove to the American people that Congress is willing to make tough decisions in order to lower the price at the pump.”