Van Hollen: Bush, Cheney caused gas costs

WASHINGTON, July 12 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have helped major oil companies raise gas prices, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said Saturday.

The Maryland congressman said during the weekly Democratic radio address that the nation's top two elected Republicans created a "secret energy task force" and met with oil company officials early in their first term to hear their "wish lists."

"It's really no surprise what happened next. With two oil men in the White House, gas prices have nearly tripled, and oil company profits are up over 300 percent," Van Hollen said.

"We're all paying the price for these decisions -- not only at the pump, but when we buy groceries or when we drive or fly for business or to visit our families."

Van Hollen also said despite contradictory comments from Bush, congressional Democrats support domestic drilling. But the Democratic official said the drilling should take place on lands already held by the major oil companies.

"In fact, what the president hasn't told you is that the oil companies are already sitting on 68 million acres of federal lands with the potential to nearly double U.S. oil production," he said.

Van Hollen said Democrats were creating legislation to require oil companies to use those federal lands or lease them to others to facilitate drilling.