Drilling expected to dominate Congress

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Offshore drilling is expected to dominate U.S. congressional debate in the coming weeks with leaders saying they'll try to fashion a proposal for a vote.

During the August recess, House Republicans were in Washington to debate offshore oil exploration, a move House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has opposed until recently, The Hill reported Monday. She and other Democratic leaders said they would allow a vote to end a moratorium on drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The actual legislation could be unveiled as early as this week, the Washington publication said.

One proposal already ready introduced would open up areas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern U.S. coast to drilling but would increase taxes on oil and gas companies as well.

The issue of drilling could arise as Congress considers a continuing resolution to fund government activities, The Hill said. Congress has passed the congressional moratorium on offshore drilling annually as part of the spending bills.

Allowing offshore oil exploration involves action by Congress and the president. President George Bush already lifted the executive ban.