Senator Harry Reid Vows to Block Any Effort To Lift the Ban on Off-Shore Drilling

Amid soaring gas prices, President Bush rightly announced on Monday that he would lift a long-standing executive order banning offshore oil drilling in an effort to increase domestic production.

And, he essentially dared Congress to do the same!
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid responded by telling President Bush, and the American people for that matter, to DROP DEAD!

Here’s what President Bush said:
“When Congress lifts the legislative ban, I will lift the executive prohibition… The only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the U.S. Congress. Now the ball is squarely in Congress’ court… For years, my administration has been calling on Congress to expand domestic oil production.  Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal. And now Americans are paying at the pump.”

But according to media reports, Reid came right out and said he would BLOCK any amendments to lift the ban on off-shore drilling.  Rather, Reid is vowing to ram through legislation that could ADD 30 PERCENT TO THE COST OF CRUDE OIL!

According to CQ Politics:
“House and Senate Democratic leaders plan to bring energy legislation to the floor this week, using procedural tactics designed to block Republicans from offering amendments that would lift the drilling ban.”

“In the Senate, Democrats hope to take up as early as Wednesday a still-un-drafted bill that would tighten regulation of speculation in energy futures, which some lawmakers contend adds as much as 30 percent to the price of crude oil.

“Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., said he would block any effort to propose amendments to the bill that did not deal directly with the speculation issue.”
You read that right!

Harry Reid is essentially saying that he will BLOCK any legislation to drill for oil unless conservatives agree to pass legislation that would potentially DRIVE UP the price of gas at the pump.

And he may be BLOCKING this legislation as you read this letter!

But guess what?  You are making a HUGE difference!
According to the same article:
“With gasoline prices continuing a steady rise, Republicans have intensified their calls for more offshore drilling in the face of polls that show growing public support. Republicans claim Democratic leaders are trying to hold off votes on drilling out of fears that some members are shifting positions.”

Did Domenici Actually Call Harry Reid A Chicken?
At a press conference, Senator Lamar Alexander said:
“After today’s announcement by the president, the only hurdle left to beginning offshore exploration is congressional action, and it’s time for the Democratic leadership to listen to the millions of Americans who are demanding we begin today.”

Then, Senator Pete Dominici turned to Alexander and said:
“Does it seem to you like it does to me like Harry Reid is either scared chicken to have a vote, or has decided that he’s going to dictate to the United States Senate?  I don’t know if you’ll use the word ‘chicken,’ but I will because that’s what he’s saying: He’s saying, ‘I’m frightened by the idea that we’re going to actually have a vote on a new plan for this huge, huge, reserve of gas and oil that belongs to none other than the people of the United States.’ ”

If Domenici is right and Reid is “chicken,” maybe it’s because he’s looking at the polls.

Rasmussen, June 17: 67% Favor, 18% Oppose (”67% Support Offshore Drilling, 64% Believe It Will Lower Prices”)

Reuters/Zogby, June 18: 60% Favor, 40% Oppose (”Most Americans support more oil drilling”)

Gallup Poll, June 19: 57% Favor, 41% Oppose (”Majority of Americans Support Drilling Off-Limits Areas”)

Pew Research Center, July 2:  57% Favor, 41% Oppose (”As Gas Prices Pinch, Support for Energy Exploration Rises”)

And it’s not just conservatives…  If you look closely at the data from the liberal Pew Research Center poll, you’ll notice that even liberals are fed-up!

The numbers are up for Democrats by 16 points, from 30 to 46%. The numbers for Liberals are up by 23 points (more than double), from 22 to 45%. Independents up 19 points, from 31 to 50%. Women up 18 points, from 28 to 46%.  Young (18-29) up 25 points, from 26 to 51% — most of any age group. College grads up 17 points, from 30 to 47%

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid strut in front of TV cameras, proclaiming they are “for the people.”

Yet, their actions proclaim otherwise!
If liberals in Congress want to commit political suicide, that’s one thing.  But we can’t let them take down the entire nation as well.
Let’s send them that message.  Let’s drive it home RIGHT NOW!
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