• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Blunt: Two-Thirds of Americans Support Responsible Deep-Sea Energy Development - Too Bad 83 Percent of House Democrats Oppose

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 June 2008, 18:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today referencing a recent Rasmussen poll showing that two-thirds of Americans support responsible deep-sea energy exploration, and applauding U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for announcing his intention to lift current bans on producing that American energy when he becomes president:

"For millions of Americans, $4 gasoline, $5 diesel, and $13 natural gas aren't just a passing inconvenience - they're a major factor in deciding how they get to work, feed their families, and live their lives. Sen. McCain understands these energy challenges and has seen their consequences firsthand - and his call today to lift America's unilateral ban on deep-sea energy exploration contrasts sharply with his opponent's 'Audacity of Nope' stance when it comes to producing our own energy.

"The problem for Democrats in the House, on the other hand, is this: What two-thirds of the American people support, a staggering 83 percent of their caucus has consistently voted against. The result is the continuation of a 27-year-old policy that has locked away 420 trillion cubic feet of American natural gas, and kept off-limits enough American oil to end our reliance on OPEC for the next 40 years.

"After decades of taking easy votes to lock away $10 oil and sub-$2 natural gas, Democrats now face a very different landscape on energy - partly, in fact, of their own doing. Thankfully, for Democrats on the Appropriations Committee, tomorrow's markup will provide them a chance to cast a pro-energy vote by backing the Peterson offshore energy amendment. For the rest, they'd do well to take a close look at the energy poll released today - and do even better to vote with their constituents in the future."

NOTE: An analysis compiled by the House Republican Whip tracking voting patterns on energy issues going back to 1994 found that 91 percent of House Republicans have voted in favor of legislation to increase access to American energy, while 86 percent of House Democrats have consistently voted against such bills. On the specific issue of deep-sea energy development, 83 percent of Democrats have opposed it, while 81 percent of Republicans have voted in support.

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt

CONTACT: Nick Simpson, Antonia Ferrier or Chris Tucker of the Office ofHouse Republican Whip Roy Blunt, +1-202-226-7022

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

More News in this Category