Under President Bush’s energy plan, the average family in California would pay $140,000 for gasoline before they would see one penny in relief at the pump.

The President’s plan to open protected coastlines to offshore oil drilling would not yield any price relief until the year 2030 and even then any relief would be "insignificant," according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

In that time, the average California family with two cars would spend $139,846 out of their own pocket for the price of gas at today’s prices.

The President has no answer to record high gas and energy prices. Calling for drilling off the coast of California and in other precious areas is a stunt to distract people from his failed energy policy. Record high gas prices are the result of having the White House run by two men from the oil industry who opposed every effort to break our addiction to oil.

Democrats in the House are taking action now to lower energy prices and reduce our dependence on oil.

The Democratic Plan: A Comprehensive Energy Solution

1. The President should release oil from our strategic reserves. I just met with the CEO’s of three major airlines who endorsed our call to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

2. Oil companies should start to drill now in the more than 68 million acres of already leased onshore and offshore areas or lose their right to drill on those lands. I voted for the DRILL act, HR 6515, to compel oil companies to drill on leased lands and in the National Petroleum Reserve.

3. Investing in renewable energy and alternative fuels, efficiency, and conservation should remain a top priority for Congress.

4. Take responsible steps to crack down on speculation in oil markets that are driving prices up beyond the impact of supply and demand.

We need a comprehensive solution, not a Presidential political stunt.

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George's remarks on the Congress sending the president the biggest reform in national energy policy in the past 30 years.