The Oil Drilling Ban finaly expired today, despite Pelosi’ best efforts. Nancy got a black eye. Still in the final analysis, the Democrats managed to step back from the precipice on this one.
“this capitulation by Democrats following months of Republican pressure is a big victory for Americans struggling with record gasoline prices,” said House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio.
Democrats had clung to the hope of only a partial repeal of the drilling moratorium, but the White House had promised a veto, Obey said.
Just last week, the House passed legislation to open waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to oil and gas drilling but only 50 or more miles out to sea and only if a state agrees to energy development off its shore.
Republicans called that effort a sham that would have left almost 90 percent of offshore reserves effectively off-limits.
This is good for the country for two reasons. The first obvious reason is that the market will respond and the increase in supply of oil will drive the price down, barring other complications.
Second reason this is a good thing is Pelosi appears for now to abandon her mission to save the planet. This is a ridiculous position, and frankly it is above dear Nancy’s pay grade. The more outlandish one party gets, the other party shows that it refuses to be outdone. In short we have been witnessing a race to the bottom. The problem with this is the American people suffer because of the antics of our political parties.
Pelosi and her party went on vacation for five weeks. They returned to vote on a bill that was a slap in face of the middle class. The very group that the Democrats claim to champion.
Late last night, the Democrat Rules Committee decided to allow debate on ZERO amendments to the Democrats’ new energy gimmick bill. It is a closed bill, so no amendments can be offered, and no compromise can be reached.
The bill that Pelosi wrote was a lie to the American people. H.R. 6899 was titled ‘Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act.’
A ban on 90% of the available oil is comprehensive. It was as thorough an insult as one could imagine. The Democrats managed to dodge a bullet. Better to be lucky than smart sometimes. With the current mess on Wall St, and the old ban expiring this issue will go away. The American people deserved better.