Pelosi Statement on President Bush Agreeing to Release Oil from SPR at Request of Oil Companies

September 16, 2008
Press Release
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today in response to President Bush announcing that oil would be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at the request of oil companies affected by Hurricane Gustav:

"For months, the President has ignored the bipartisan request of Congress to release a small portion of oil from our national stockpile to bring relief to consumers struggling with soaring gas prices at the pump.  Today, the President announced that he responded to the request from an oil company to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

"By ignoring the needs of consumers but responding to the request of oil companies, it is clear that the Bush-Cheney-McCain energy decisions are made with only one thing in mind - Big Oil.

"The New Direction Congress is crafting a comprehensive energy strategy that will provide relief for consumers, end our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of jobs and grow our economy."