Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called global warming and energy policy “the issue of our time” at a press conference where she urged President Bush to relieve high gas prices by opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Pelosi said the SPR is 97 percent full, the highest it has ever been, and that Americans deserve access to gasoline purchased with their tax dollars. Pelosi, who made a similar request to Bush ten days ago, added that gas prices would have lowered by now if Bush had acted when she originally asked. Pelosi repeatedly stated that despite having two oil men in the White House, gas prices remain over $4.
Continuing, Pelosi said Bush’s energy policy have caused price spikes and discussed the democratic DRILL (Drill Responsibly In Least Lands) Act, an act that advocates increased developments in energy alternatives and minimal drilling. She noted that calls for off-shore drilling by Republicans will take ten years to enact and only lower prices by $0.02. Pelosi said this route would cause the average family to spend $57,000 on gas in the next decade. She called Bush’s solution to high energy prices a “hoax” and said a majority of Americans agree that increasing the development of alternative energies is a good way to decrease prices while building new jobs.
In reference to increased violence in Afghanistan, Pelosi criticized the White House for initially turning its attention towards Iraq, allowing the situation in Afghanistan to worsen. She said Democrats in Congress demand accountability from the military and the Executive Branch, adding that Bush is now realizing the commitment that is necessary to fight extremism in Afghanistan.
Bush’s policy a “hoax”
Continuing, Pelosi said Bush’s energy policy have caused price spikes and discussed the democratic DRILL (Drill Responsibly In Least Lands) Act, an act that advocates increased developments in energy alternatives and minimal drilling. She noted that calls for off-shore drilling by Republicans will take ten years to enact and only lower prices by $0.02. Pelosi said this route would cause the average family to spend $57,000 on gas in the next decade. She called Bush’s solution to high energy prices a “hoax” and said a majority of Americans agree that increasing the development of alternative energies is a good way to decrease prices while building new jobs.
In reference to increased violence in Afghanistan, Pelosi criticized the White House for initially turning its attention towards Iraq, allowing the situation in Afghanistan to worsen. She said Democrats in Congress demand accountability from the military and the Executive Branch, adding that Bush is now realizing the commitment that is necessary to fight extremism in Afghanistan.