May 10, 2010
(The Hill) Gibbs: Time for energy bill is ‘more ripe’ than ever
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Friday disputed Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) claim that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill should prompt a pause in efforts to advance energy and climate legislation.
Gibbs noted that gasoline prices -- which typically rise with the onset of summer -- will create a “very public impetus” for legislation. Gibbs also told reporters that the spill shows that “with what you see is going on in the Gulf, you understand that drilling and drilling alone isn’t going to solve our energy problems.”
“So I think, quite honestly, the time is . . . more ripe than it ever, in all honesty, has been,” Gibbs said.
His comments come as Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) are planning to roll out their long-awaited climate bill May 12.
Graham, who had been a co-author of the bill, pulled back from the effort last month. He’s upset that Democratic leaders plan to push immigration legislation, which he believes will create a toxic political atmosphere that sinks the climate bill...
