Bush to Congress: lift drilling ban

Jul. 30 - President George W. Bush again called on Congress to pass legislation that would give energy companies access to billions of barrels of oil in U.S. waters where energy exploration is now banned.

Surrounded by cabinet members in the White House Rose Garden, Bush said that fuel prices could be brought down if the United States developed more of its oil resources, particularly those located offshore, which he said held enough supply to meet current U.S. oil demand for 10 years.

Bush earlier this month lifted a presidential order that had banned drilling in most U.S. waters and he demanded that Congress end its own drilling moratorium before lawmakers adjourn for their month-long recess in August.