Chambliss Statement on President’s Decision to Lift Executive Ban on Offshore Drilling

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today applauded the decision by President Bush to lift the existing executive ban on offshore drilling, which has been in place since the 1990’s, and urged members of Congress to move forward in lifting the current congressional ban.

“I applaud the President’s announcement today, and I am hopeful it will put even more pressure on Congress to address the current energy crisis. The President’s move is an important step in signaling to the world community that the United States is indeed serious about energy independence. Make no mistake, however, Congress ultimately has to take action too if the congressional ban is to be lifted so that production along the Outer Continental Shelf can take place. Georgians continue to tell me that their family budgets are being squeezed due to the price of gasoline, and they are rightly furious with the lack of leadership in Washington. An overwhelming majority of Americans support drilling here at home and it is time to put the wheels in motion. Simply put, Georgians want us out of this mess, and it is my hope that our bipartisan group will be successful in crafting meaningful legislation that both parties can support.”

Chambliss, along with colleague, U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, have formed a bipartisan group of senators who have been meeting and working to craft legislation to address the current energy crisis.