Dems Pass Sham Energy Bill, Bush Will Veto

The attempt by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats to pass an energy bill that purported to support offshore drilling while permanently banning drilling in areas where there's actually oil won't make it past the president:

The House voted late Tuesday to open waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to oil and gas drilling but only 50 or more miles out to sea and only if a state agrees to energy development off its shore.

Democratic leaders called it a step toward energy independence, but Republicans labeled it a "sham" because most of the estimated 18 billion barrels of oil believed to lie below off-limits coastal waters are within 50 miles of land and will remain out of bounds.

The measure passed in a largely party-line vote of 236-189. It now goes to the Senate, where energy will be the topic later in the week.

Even before the House vote, the White House said President Bush was prepared to veto the measure should it reach his desk...

An administration statement said the bill would "stifle development" of offshore energy resources by essentially making permanent drilling bans within the 50-mile coastal buffer, while imposing new taxes on the largest oil companies.

The Dems will claim credit for passing a bill that allows new drilling and the media will ignore the restrictions that would have allowed drilling only in areas where there is no oil. It's all very predictable.