Bush Lifts Executive Ban on Offshore Oil Drilling

President Bush Monday lifted an executive order banning offshore oil drilling, but the move still needs congressional action to take effect.

The president called on Congress to repeal a 1981 law banning additional offshore drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.

“The executive ranch’s restrictions have been cleared away,” Bush said, calling on Congress to act on allowing more domestic oil exploration as a means to boost supply and reduce prices.

The president also called on Congress to allow drilling in prohibited sections of Alaska and to boost oil shale development and U.S. refining capacity, he said in a brief televised statement.