Washington, Sep 27 -

WASHINGTON, D.C. September 27, 2008 - U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) issued the following statement today on an amendment, set to be offered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), to the House passed Continuing Resolution – a temporary mechanism to fund the federal government – which would reinstate the current moratorium on offshore energy and oil shale production set to expire on October 1, 2008.

“Today, the Senate is expected to vote on a Continuing Resolution that includes language to open up offshore drilling and allow oil shale recovery in America set to expire on October 1, 2008. This resolution, which passed the House on September 24th, was a victory for millions of American families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses struggling to pay their bills because of skyrocketing energy costs. This is also a significant win for House Republicans, who have fought for months to increase production of American-made energy.”

“However, Senate Majority Leader Reid moved to offer an amendment to the Continuing Resolution to reinstate the ban on oil shale energy production. This is an insult and a slap in the face to the families around this nation who need relief from their energy costs before their winter heating bills double, or even triple. Our economy faces historic and unprecedented challenges, and while I am fighting to protect the taxpayers from footing the bill for this bailout, Democrats are fighting to increase energy costs.  Our country deserves a comprehensive energy plan that involves improving conservation and efficiency, drilling in America, increasing the supply of American-made energy, bringing online additional refineries, and developing all viable alternative or renewable fuel sources and technologies. Poll after poll has shown that the American people want a comprehensive, all of the above energy plan. It is time for Sen. Reid to listen to them and not the radical special interests.”

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