WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, urged President Barack Obama Saturday to back the Republicans' "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.
Boehner said in the weekly Republican media address that he talked with Obama a month ago about energy policy.
"The president, who has seen gas prices more than double on his watch, assured leaders in Congress there was room for common ground," he said. "It was a new sign of hope, but unfortunately, only a brief one."
Boehner said the president hasn't done enough to prevent gas prices from rising. The House speaker cited the Obama administration's opposition to the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
"The Senate has stalled dozens of House-passed bills, several of which would implement the Republicans' all-of-the-above energy strategy to address rising gas prices and help create jobs," Boehner said.
Boehner said all the energy bills had passed with bipartisan support and many had the backing of the president's jobs council.
"So today, I'm challenging President Obama to make good on his rhetoric and urge the Senate to allow a vote on bipartisan, House-passed energy bills," he said.
Boehner also urged Obama to allow more oil drilling on federal lands.
