In early August, by a 71-25 vote, the United States Senate passed Senate Bill 3711— the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which is expected to open up portions of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to drilling for oil and natural gas.

Capitol Hill observers looked at the bi-partisan support the bill received as an indication of the importance placed on the energy issue by senators.

Following the Senate vote, the Consumer Alliance for Energy Security issued a statement praising the passing of the bill, saying it would “provide needed relief to record high energy prices.”

The National Assn. of Manufacturers also praised senators for passing the bill.

NAM president John Engler issued a statement in which he called the measure “a victory for the entire nation.”

“We applaud those senators who supported S. 3711 and recognized the need to strengthen America's economic and energy security,” Engler said. “Exploring the OCS is an important step toward a more abundant, flexible and more affordable energy supply that is critical to keep the U.S. economy growing strong…. Rising energy prices slow our economy and hurt consumers. Increasing our domestic energy supply…provides long-term benefits in the form of affordable and reliable supply and access.”

Engler, a former governor of Michigan who had written in support of the Senate bill, also praised the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R.-N.M.) and his colleague, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), for their leadership in getting the bill to a final Senate vote.

This past June, the House of Representatives passed its own OCS measure, H.R. 476, the Deep Ocean Energy Security Act. Commenting on both Houses of Congress passing key energy legislation, Engler said that “their votes acknowledge that without action, energy prices will only continue to skyrocket…. Congress can now look forward to conference knowing that a majority of members in both House and Senate have shown their commitment to lowering America's energy costs and increasing our energy security. Our goal is to have the completed bill on the president's desk in September.”