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Congress Deadlocked Over Offshore Drilling
Submitted by jgehring on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 9:20am.
Story summary:
As Congress heads into its last week before August recess and political conventions, there's one big item on the must-do list: Action to ease energy costs for American families. With a gallon of gas hovering at $4, energy prices are the No. 1 issue on voters' minds. But congressional leaders are increasingly deadlocked over what to do. In response, frustrated rank-and-file members on both sides of the aisle are stepping up efforts to find common ground.
Congress Deadlocked Over Offshore Drilling
Christian Science Monitor
7-28-08
Last week, Republicans blocked three Democratic bills in as many days: On Thursday, the House rejected a measure that would have released about 70 million barrels of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. On Friday, Senate Republicans blocked a move that would have led to a vote on a bill to stop excessive speculation in energy markets. On Saturday, the GOP minority again opposed taking up a $5.1 billion Senate measure to help low-income Americans pay utility bills this year. All three measures foundered on the same issue: a congressional ban on drilling in protected offshore areas.