President Bush has lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling. The president wants congressional Democrats to follow suit by
removing the legislative prohibition.

Democratic leaders in congress say right now they want oil and gas companies to drill for oil leases they've been given.

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are weighing in on President Bush's decision. McCain believes
if we can show that we have significant oil reserves off our coasts, that will affect the futures market and affect the price of oil.
Obama's campaign says more ocean drilling would merely prolong failed energy policies and would not help prices at the pump.

North Carolina's U.S. Senator's are weighing in as well. Senator Richard Burr says, "I'm pleased that the President has lifted the executive order banning deep-sea exploration for energy resources. Four dollar a gallon gasoline has affected every family in North Carolina, and it is time for the Democrat Leadership in Congress to stop blocking action and pass long-term energy legislation like The Gas Price Reduction Act, which I have cosponsored. This legislation would lift the Congressional moratorium on Outer Continental Shelf exploration by giving states the ability to opt in on energy exploration off their coasts. We need a comprehensive approach to this energy crisis that allows us to find more and use less."

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole says, "The solution to our energy crisis is finding more and using less. Families struggling with record high gas prices can't afford for Congress to keep energy exploration options off the table."