"I commend Senator Thad Cochran and Congressmen Ralph Hall, Joe Barton, Nick Lampson, and Chip Pickering for introducing legislation today to increase the capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to 1.5 billion barrels.  This will further protect America against severe disruptions to our oil supply by increasing the Reserve over the next 20 years to hold over three months of net import protection.  Expanding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve will ensure adequate supplies of fuel to citizens across the country in case of supply disruption."

"In his State of the Union Address earlier this year, President Bush called on Congress to double the Reserve's current capacity.  I urge Congress to pass this legislation quickly to further bolster our nation's energy security."

Media contact(s):
Megan Barnett, (202) 586-4940