Jim Inhofe: “I have and I would invite anyone to go to my Web site or go to the Environment and Public Works Committee Web site--it…”

“I have and I would invite anyone to go to my Web site or go to the Environment and Public Works Committee Web site--it is epw.senate.gov--in there I have listed all the bills...we have tried to expand the supply of oil and gas in America, even the bills when we were a majority, when the Republicans were a majority. In October of 1995, we voted to implement a competitive leasing program for oil and gas exploration. That was within the coastal plain of ANWR, as well as offshore. It passed 52 to 47. Of that vote, 52 were Republicans, 46 were Democrats--right down party lines. Then, the very next month, on November 17--I remember that because that was my birthday--the Senate voted on a motion to adopt a conference report on the same thing--for a competitive leasing program for oil and gas exploration--and again it passed by almost the same margin. All the Republicans voted for it. All the Democrats voted against it. Now, those two bills were up there. And, of course, what happened? The President at that time, Bill Clinton, vetoed those bills.”