Oil drilling has become a bone of contention in the Congress, as Republicans take on the issue, using it as a political lifeline at a time when a sluggish economy, ethics issues and a president who is far from popular are upsetting voters.

The Republicans, insisting that gasoline prices must be brought down by increased oil drilling have come down hard on various energy laws. The Majority Leader of the Senate, Harry Reid, has been trying in vain to draw legislators into other issues, but the Republicans are pushing the oil question.

In view of the political climate, Republicans seem to be grabbing at the oil drilling issue as a political lifeline. Editor of the neutral Rothenberg Political Report Nathan Gonzales said in Washington, “it’s one issue where Republicans see a glimmer of hope.’

Voters seem to be more in favour of increased drilling for oil, with everyone feeling the pinch of the high price of gas. The Republicans aren’t ignoring the polls, and are definitely using the issue of oil drilling as an electoral platform.

According to Nevada Senator John Ensign, “Energy is going to be the No. 1 issue in the presidential race and in the Senate races, because it affects everyone”. Senator Ensign is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Increased drilling for oil has recently become the entrepoint of John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate. He feels that the soaring costs of gasoline are adversely affecting the American citizen. A few days ago, McCain stood against the backdrop of an oil field in California to reiterate his message and stance on a greater extent of oil drilling.

Just yesterday, press conferences demanding increased oil exploration and accusing the Democrats of inflexibility were held by US president George Bush and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican Leader from Kentucky. The president said that the United States Congress is the “only thing standing now between the American people and these vast oil resources”.

According to the Democrats, their rivals in politics will suffer when it comes to votes since they are discouraging the seeking of ways to find other energy sources and cut down on oil consumption. Harry Reid said on the Senate floor yesterday, “The Republicans have blocked everything.” The Democrats feel that the drilling plans drawn up by the Republicans would not result in a greater supply of oil till more than a dozen years have passed. Even impartial experts say that the November elections will result in reduced Republican seats in the House as well as the Senate.

Another issue concerning the Republicans is the indictment of Ted Stevens, Senator from Alaska with the longest tenure, and a major advocate of increased drilling. Stevens stands accused of failing to disclose required financial information on Senate financial disclosure forms. This hasn’t altered the Republican stance, though, and a CNN poll held between July 27 and 29 revealed that 69% of surveyed segment were in favour of the Republican plans for more oil drilling, and only 30% were against it.

Oil prices have been very high recently, with a record high of $147.27 on June 11. On July 28, according to the Energy Department, the price of regular unleaded was $3.96, down from $4.11 per gallon on July 14.

More and more Republicans are now supporting offshore drilling – McCain, who was against drilling, has now changed his stance, due, he said, to the detrimental effects of high gas prices and American’s dependence on imported oil resources. North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole is another Republican who has begun to support offshore drilling.

Colorado’s American Future Fund is asking for Democrat Mark Udall (who is a rival Senatorial candidate to Bob Schaffer) to act in favour of drilling.
Democrats like Nebraskan Ben Nelson and Virginian Jim Webb are in favour of increased drilling – seventeen voted along with the Republicans to insist that Congress conduct a comprehensive discussion on oil exploration and other energy issues. House Majority Leader Democrat Steny Hoyer from Maryland emphasized the statement, “Democrats are for drilling’ several times at a press conference, referring to the fact that Democrats favour more drilling on existing fields. “There could be an energy fight over almost anything”, Steny said.