Blocking new oil exploration and punishing consumers with an energy tax will drive gas prices through the roof and cost hundreds of thousands more American jobs, according to Congressman John Carter (R-TX31).

Carter today joined a bipartisan news conference of Gulf state Members of Congress who urged President Obama to lift the Administration’s moratorium on new offshore oil exploration.

"This is a tragedy on top of a tragedy," said Carter, House Republican Conference Secretary. "In the middle of a recession with 10% unemployment, it is inexcusable for this Administration to risk hundreds of thousands of jobs from the oil and related industries."

Carter and other Members of the bipartisan group pointed out that if the Obama moratorium continues, much of the oil exploration and drilling industry will leave the Gulf for Brazil, Venezuela, or Australia, leading to a permanent loss of high-paying jobs for the Gulf Coast states, and a massive increase in foreign oil imports to compensate for the loss of Gulf oil production, which currently totals around 17% of U.S. oil consumption.