White House Gaggle

Briefer: White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Schedule:

The President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in the signing of H.J Res. 93, the Renewal of Import Restrictions on Burman and in the signing of H.R 3890, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts). At 10.45 am, President Bush signs H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This afternoon at 1.25 pm, the President departs the White House heading to Ohio. He will make remarks on energy and the economy at the Lincoln Electric Company Euclid, Ohio. At 5.45 pm, President Bush attends a Congressional Trust 2008 Reception at a private residence at Gates Mills, Ohio.

There will no be briefing today

Energy

Perino said that Congress goes on their recess by the end of the week leavening several proposals in the air, including opening energy resources such as ANWR, off shore drilling, oil shale, and streamlining opening refineries. She also said that the President will discuss all of this in his remarks later today. In the President’s cabinet meeting tomorrow they will discuss energy needs, which are the most important needs facing Americans today. Asked several questions about people driving less, Perino said that this shows laws of supply and demand, she also said that the Administration will look for way to bring the prices down. When asked about the highway trust fund, she said that the President has a way to address it in the budget and she does not believe that the way to deal with it is raising taxes.

Iraq

Asked about the uptick in Iraq, Perino said that there was a lot less violence and a need for flexibility with the military, and that we still have a determined enemy. She also said that high profile attacks using female bomber is deplorable.

Housing Bill

Dana said: “ At some time it is going to irresponsible if they don’t sent it [the housing bill]” She continued to say, that they need to send the bill to us and again pushing the White House concept of the- do-nothing-Congress, they are back in town over a long weekend recess. She also said that “you can’t put a timetable when the housing market rebounds”.

Serbia

When asked about US efforts to catch Karadzic, Perino said that over the years we have been supporting of efforts, “that is all I can say”.


Burma

Dana said that sanctions can work and the goal is to squeeze the people that are pressing people and not the people.

Hoyer: “Republicans are not being honest with the American people”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) held his weekly pen and pad briefing today. He spoke in support of presumptive democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, saying Obama’s comments were measured, responsible and well received by the international community.

On the recent oil and gas prices, Hoyer said, “Republicans are not being honest with the American people.” He said all Republicans voted against extending renewable tax incentives, and are speaking poorly about the Democratically held Congress to deflect attention from their failed energy policies. Hoyer said that the United States is currently not drilling the 68 million acres of land available, and should focus on getting that oil before moving on to the Outer Continental Shelf or drilling in ANWR.

Hoyer spoke about the housing crisis and said that the economy will be deeply effected if we do not stabilize Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. Hoyer spoke positively about a housing bill currently going through Congress, President Bush has said he will not veto the bill. The housing bill will be a major stimulus bill and is expected to pass is great bipartisan support.

GOP frustrated with dead-end drilling debate

Congressmen Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) held a pen and pad briefing on the recent American Energy Tour and used the opportunity to express their frustration with Democrats' anti-drilling position.

Putnam said that America has the tools it needs to solve the energy crisis, but requires new leadership to achieve energy independence. He said the Republicans plan on unveiling a bill that is an "all-of-the-above" approach to the oil crisis that includes measures on conservation, renewables, clean nuclear technology, and domestic exploration for oil. He said the bill would embody Republicans' open-mindedness and leadership, a stark contrast to Democrats' constant denial of even debate on the topic of drilling.

McCarthy said that in his recent tour of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), he learned that a key oil transmission line is not used to capacity and if exploration is not done, great amounts of oil will be lost. He said the Democrats' constant denial of drilling tells the American people that oil prices will continue to go up. Putnam added that Republicans are constantly offering what they are willing to do, while the Democrats only say what they are unwilling to do. He said his party is determined to force a vote on energy issues before the Congress breaks for August.

Republicans up in the air over oil production

House Republicans held a press conference to discuss their trip to Alaska and Colorado on the American Energy Tour. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) noted that oil production in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska has declined, chastising Democrats for standing in the way of Congressional progress on energy issues. According to Boehner, Republicans embrace a holistic energy strategy that includes drilling, conservation, and increasing the development of oil alternatives.

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) noted the importance of Alaska’s infrastructure, saying 17 percent of the continental United States' oil travels through Alaskan pipelines. When questioned on short term oil production increases, Boehner cited a report that says new drilling could begin in Alaska in as little as six months. After flying over the region, Boehner stated there there is little topographical difference between the National Petroluem Reserve - Alaska (NPR-A,) where drilling currently takes place, and the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR.) He then questioned Democrats’ support for drilling in the NPR-A, contrasting this support with adamant Democratic opposition to drilling for oil in ANWR.

Boehner added that drilling leaves few environmental footprints, noting technological advances that have made oil production more efficient. In her statement, Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.) said wildlife and drilling can co-exist, recalling the presence of caribou along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and warnings of aggressive polar bears in the region.

1.3 million Americans demand congress take action on oil

"Democrats in the House and Senate have stood in the way of more American made energy" said House minority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). "That's why almost 70% of our oil that we use everyday has to be imported." Boehner and other top Republicans spoke at a press conference today to accept a petition from American Solutions signed by 1.3 million Americans. The petition calls on congress to take action now to lower gas prices.

Boehner went on to say that the amount of oil imported by the United States continues to rise due to Democrats' continued opposition to drilling in ANWR and the outer continental shelf. He also dismissed biofuels and conservation as possible remedies, instead stating that more American made energy, including nuclear power, is a better solution.

House minority whip Roy Blunt (R-MO.) stated that he and his fellow Republicans have asked Democrats to bring legislation to the floor that would provide American solutions to rising oil prices, yet we still see no action. He also pointed out that no other nation in the world possesses deep water oil sources and chooses not to extract them but the United States. He ended by challenging the Democratic leadership from both the House and Senate to respond to the 1.3 million Americans who have signed the petition.