By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-719678.mp3
Houston, TX – As oil prices continue to climb, Texas Republicans meeting at their state convention debated solutions.
They heard from Former House Speaker Newt Gingrinch who called on Washington to drive down gasoline prices by immediately selling off half of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Texas Senator John Cornyn said he opposes that because the reserve is needed for national security emergencies. He wants Congress to lift a ban on some off-shore drilling and in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve.
Cornyn: Runs: 15
If Congress sent a signal that no we've changed now that gasoline is four dollars a gallon. We believe it's appropriate to open up America's vast national resources I believe that would calm the speculation that is driving up the cost of oil and gasoline.
Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison agrees with Cornyn. KERA's Shelley Kofler will have more on how Republicans at their state convention in Houston would cut gasoline prices later during All Things Considered.