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News and Views |
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Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approves funding bill minus critical domestic energy production amendment The
energy amendment, sponsored by Rep. John Peterson (R-PA), would change federal
restrictions on Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas production –
allowing energy exploration off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and the eastern “Gas prices are $4 a gallon and rising, our economy is struggling, and we’re a nation at war in a region that holds the key to our oil dependence,” House Appropriations Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis said. “It is greatly unfortunate that this amendment – a common sense solution that would help ease our energy crisis, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and lower gas prices – is not supported by the majority party.” The
Interior appropriations legislation contains $27.8 billion in funding, which is
$1.26 billion above the Fiscal Year 2008 level and $2 billion more than the
President’s request. The bill also provides $100 million in critically needed
wildfire preparedness funding to help prevent and address devastating and
expensive wildfire emergencies, particularly in the western “While
it is important to make sure these agencies are adequately funded, we also must
take a close look at these programs and make some tough decisions about how and
where to best spend taxpayer dollars. Many American families are struggling to
make ends meet, and it is important that we be even more careful and prudent
with their tax dollars,” Lewis said. Click Here to Return to News & Views
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