Political Quotes

On the recordJune 30, 2010
In response to the Republican leader's speech, I have three words: Drill, baby, drill. That was the chant we heard across the United States from the Republican side of the aisle during the last Presidential campaign. The notion was that if we just started drilling in every direction, we could solve America's energy problems. It was an irresponsible chant, failing to address the most fundamental issue of our time: the future of America's national energy picture. What we know is this: We know we have become more and more dependent on foreign oil. It costs us, as a Nation, $1 billion a day that we are sending overseas to other countries to buy their oil to sustain our economy. This dependence, unfortunately, leads to commitments we have to make--military commitments, political commitments, economic commitments--because of this dependence on foreign oil. The second reality is this: We understand there is a new, emerging energy technology in the 21st century. It is an energy technology based on efficiency, economy, and the reduction of costs.
Said by
Dick Durbin
Democratic · Illinois
Source
govinfo.gov
Jun 30, 2010

Editor's note · Context

Senator Durbin addresses energy dependence and the need for new energy technologies.

Share

More from Dick Durbin

Aug 20, 2026

For all of these reasons, ATF should withdraw this rule.

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 16, 2026

Senate Democrats continue to support the full repeal of Republicans’ disastrous Medicaid cuts and stand united in calling on the Trump Administration to withdraw this harmful rule.

duckworth.senate.gov
Aug 26, 2026

I can’t wait to see all the good that happens here.

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 24, 2026

“The highest court in the land shouldn’t have the lowest ethical standards. Public trust in the Supreme Court remains near historic lows, and every story of a luxury gift or questionable failure to recuse contributes to it. The American…

murphy.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation