President Bush Lifts Executive Ban on Offshore Drilling

President Bush today lifted a presidential ban on offshore oil drilling on the outer continental shelf that was implemented by his father, escalating a confrontation with Democrats in Congress over how to cope with soaring gasoline prices.

Although it’s a gesture in the right direction, it doesn’t quite get anything going…yet.

Lifting the executive moratorium has no immediate practical effect, because Congress enacted its own prohibition on offshore drilling in 1981. It would have to be rescinded for exploration to proceed.

At least it turns the heat up on the do-nothing Donk Congresscritters.