Landry Comments On Obama’s Press Conference On Gas Prices

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Jeff Landry (Republican, New Iberia) released the following full statement following the President's news conference on energy prices today:

“Today, the President tried to ease American concern over high gas prices by telling us that world supply and capacity are enough to weather the storm.

The good news is that the American people don’t believe this!

The fact remains that we are continuing to see an increase in prices at the pump, which is an unwanted tax on our American families!

Let’s be truthful: the increase in domestic production is a result of past policies that allowed additional drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

The President’s own agency put out numbers showing that while production has increased over the past 7 years, it is now on a drastic decline - a 16% decline in the Gulf.

Mr. President, how is it responsible for us to call on other nations to increase their oil production and capacity, when you are unwilling to simply issue 32 permits for drilling operations that were running last year and suspended by you?

It is time to realize that we should focus on sources of energy that Americans can afford: oil, nuclear, natural gas, and clean coal!

Releasing the SPR will not solve our problem; it is like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.

Mr. President, before you release the SPR, why not save the taxpayers money and release the 32 permits?”

This full statement follows Congressman Landry’s earlier statement: “Someone should tell the President that April Fool’s Day is still weeks away. Today’s conference is another example of the President misleading the American people regarding his energy policy. While the President touts the highest level of domestic oil and gas production, he fails to mention that his energy policy is causing a decline in production. Each and every day he refuses to – at a minimum – release the 32 permits on hold for almost a year is a day the American people are forced to deal with the price spikes. In addition to domestic oil and gas, the President should focus on responsible and affordable alternative energy sources like nuclear, natural gas, and clean coal…”

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Congressman Landry, the House’s leading authority on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, represents Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District. Prior to taking office, Landry was a small business owner supporting the oil and gas industry and was a business attorney helping job creators in South Louisiana. Landry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Sustainable Resources with a minor degree in Biology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.