NAM calls for U.S. to up oil production

WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- The National Association of Manufacturers Thursday called on leaders in Washington to push measures to allow for increases in domestic U.S. oil production.

"Manufacturing job providers use roughly one-third of America's energy supplies and are being hit," NAM President John Engler said in a statement.

Rising fuel costs is causing American workers "pain at the pump" and "hurting the competitiveness of their employers," Engler said.

Engler said the country should "dramatically expand and diversify America's domestic energy supplies."

"This is the only sure fire way to stop the relentless run-up in energy prices," he said.