Washington, Jul 14, 2008 - Rep. John Carter (TX-31) made the following statement today following President Bush’s announcement that he will lift the presidential ban on the exploration of American energy in the Outer Continental Shelf miles off U.S. shores.  Lifting the 18-year old ban leaves Congress as the final roadblock to bringing American oil and natural gas into the country for production.

“Today the President cleared the path for new and clean deepwater oil and gas exploration.  The only obstacle left before this energy can get to the American people is Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat Congress.  Texans are scaling back due to the ever-rising cost of gas prices, and now every possible hurdle has been cleared for Congress to take action and get this energy to the American people.

“Republicans have taken an all of the above approach to energy solutions over the past several months, including exploring America’s Outer Continental Shelf.  Doing so would decrease America’s dependency on foreign oil and lower prices at the pump.  Americans are counting on Congress to work together and lift this ban.  Republicans stand ready to work with Democrats to do just that.”