New Hampshire’s congressional delegation is divided along party lines on President Bush’s decision to lift an executive ban on offshore oil drilling.
The move will have no practical effect unless Congress acts, too. Both executive and legislative bans must be lifted before offshore exploration can happen.
Democratic Representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes called the president’s action shortsighted, saying it won’t address the nation’s long-term energy crisis.
Republican Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu supported Bush’s decision. The White House says that acting now on a long-term solution would send a serious signal to the market that more oil supply will be coming on line. Advocates say that, in turn, could ease oil prices.