House Passes 'Sham' Drilling Bill

Amanda Carpenter | September 16, 2008 10:43 PM

The House just passed an offshore drilling bill, 236-189. The catch is that the bill only applies to areas 50 or more miles offshore, which is further out than where experts think the oil is located.

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R.) said the bill is a "sham."

“For those who hoped that Democrats’ recent change of rhetoric on energy would mean a change of heart on their long-held opposition to developing America’s energy resources, the bill passed by the House tonight demonstrates that their position on energy hasn’t changed much at all" a statement from his office said. "Instead, what we got was just another political piece of legislation that’s no more serious about lessening our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and no more able to deliver affordable energy to millions of struggling Americans."