With rising oil prices and turmoil in the Middle East, three House Democrats are asking the president to tap emergency oil reserves to give people short-term relief from rising prices.
Congressman Peter Welch is joining Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut urging the to consider using the strategic oil reserve to prevent supply disruptions and rising prices from rampant speculation in the oil markets.
The request says it’s a short-term fix but also says the country needs to develop clean energy alternatives that reduce its dependence on oil in the long-term.