Another Step Closer to Increased American Energy Production

Press Release

Another Step Closer to Increased American Energy Production

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Monday regarding the President's intention to lift the administrative ban on offshore exploration:

"Now the only thing standing between consumers at the pump and the increased American energy they are demanding is the Democrat leadership in Congress. We should act and act now; Congress should pass balanced legislation, like the Gas Price Reduction Act, to not only find more American energy, but to use less as well.

"Our bill does both, and with the administration's action today, passing this bill will send a clear signal to the markets that we are serious about taking care of our energy needs here at home rather than a continued reliance on the Middle East. A growing number of members of Congress have signaled a willingness to join with us in passing legislation to expand deep-sea exploration and bring prices down at the gas pump. Now they will have a chance to join us in voting for it."

Background

The administrative ban on offshore exploration is one of two hurdles to increased exploration. The Congress must also act to lift its legislative moratorium, to open the 85 per cent of the Outer Continental Shelf that is currently off-limits to oil and gas exploration.

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