2008_07_oilban.jpgToday President Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling ban (which his father actually put in place in 1990) saying, "We need to increase the supply of oil, especially here at home..Today, I've taken every step within my power to allow offshore exploration of the OCS. All that remains is for the Democratic leaders in Congress to allow a vote." Offshore drilling can only begin if Congress repeals the legislative ban on drilling; Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois who heads the House Democratic Caucus said, “If the president wants to lower gas prices, he should stop hosting press conferences and start taking action. Releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and forcing oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they already control would be a good place to start.”