FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– Sept. 23, 2008
Contact: Ed Frank (703) 408-0572

Americans for Prosperity Says Apparent Repeal of Ban on Offshore Drilling Would Be “Huge Victory” for Energy Consumers, “Stunning Defeat for Environmental Extremists and Their Allies in Congress”

WASHINGTON – The free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity today said that the apparent reversal of Democratic Congressional leaders on the issue of domestic energy production would mark a “huge victory” for American motorists, a “stunning defeat” for environmental extremists and their allies in Congress.  News reports indicate that after initially attempting to stealthily attach what’s been described as a “sham” drilling proposal to a last-minute spending bill, Congressional leaders have now removed that provision and will allow the bans on offshore drilling and oil shale development to expire as scheduled on Oct. 1 – next Wednesday.

“If passed, this would be a huge victory for the American energy consumer, a stunning defeat for environmental extremists and their allies in Congress, and another testament to the true power of the grassroots,” said Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips.  “Despite their nearly blind allegiance to radical environmental groups, it appears that even the Congressional leadership on Capitol Hill couldn’t withstand the grassroots outrage at energy bans that unnecessarily limited supplies and hiked prices.  The lifting of these bans on American energy production should lead to lower prices at the pump, greater national security and the creation of much-needed American manufacturing jobs.”

Americans for Prosperity has crisscrossed the nation this year on its “Hot Air Tour,” which exposed the high economic costs of environmental alarmism.  The group was also among the first groups to spotlight and start building pressure against the idea of extending the bans on offshore drilling and oil shale development as part of a last-minute spending bill.  As part of that coalition effort, AFP led 40 taxpayer groups in an effort that generated thousands of e-mails and phone calls to Members of Congress, and last week held a grassroots rally on Capitol Hill that featured more than a hundred grassroots activists. 

AFP also turned up the heat by publishing the Freedom from Foreign Oil scorecard, which ranked U.S. Representatives based on their support for – or opposition to – policies that would lower gas and energy prices by increasing American energy supplies.  Members of Congress who supported increasing energy supplies were named Friends of the American Motorists and garnered positive news coverage in their home districts, while opponents of lifting the energy bans were named Friends of Foreign Oil.

“Taxpayers owe thanks to their allies on Capitol Hill, especially Senator Jim DeMint and Congressman Jeb Hensarling, who spearheaded opposition to extending the energy bans as part of a last-minute spending bill, and to the White House for standing firm and threatening to veto the legislation if Congressional leaders tried to extend the bans,” Phillips said.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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