Offshore Oil Ban Expires September 30th, But "Will Amost Certainly Be Renewed" (?!?!?)

How could that happen? Bush won't veto any bill renewing the ban? There'd be enough Congressmen and Senators to override the veto?

What madness is this?

President Bush’s decision this week to allow preparation of leases for energy exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lets Republicans press their energy advantage even harder. Bush’s executive order of Monday removes all White House restrictions on the establishment of new oil leases. Democrats had been using these restrictions as an excuse for Congress to do nothing about oil exploration. The ball is clearly in the Democrats’ court. The OCS drilling ban expires on September 30, with the Department of the Interior’s fiscal 2008 appropriations. Although House sources believe it will almost certainly be renewed, that renewal will create another political pressure point on a good Republican issue close to this year’s election.

Um, I'm not interested in "political pressure points." I'm interested in positive action. If the GOP can't do this -- what the hell use are they?

They don't have to affirmatively pass a law here, something that's very hard to do from a minority position, nevermind all the squishes and RINOs. They merely need to deny the Democrats a two thirds majority to override a veto in either house.

Again: Bush isn't planning on a firm veto? The GOP seriously can't even muster this minor level of solidarity on such an important (and politically winning) issue?

I'm going to write to some of my few congressional contacts to find out what the hell is going on with this.

posted by Ace at 01:30 PM

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