WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today supported an amendment to temporarily suspend oil deposits to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help increase the supply of oil on the market in a short term effort to bring down prices for consumers. The Dorgan Amendment to S. 2284, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act, was approved with a vote of 97-1.

Senator Roberts was disappointed that another amendment he supported with long term strategies to develop domestic sources of energy failed. The McConnell Amendment would have increased the supply of domestic energy, lessening the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

"Since 2005, Congress has made great strides in renewable energy initiatives and has lessened demand on oil through higher efficiency standards for automobiles. While we were able to provide Americans with short term relief today, I am disappointed we were not able provide a comprehensive energy solution to compliment the renewable energy initiatives from 2005 and 2007," Senator Roberts said.

In 2005, Senator Roberts supported the Energy Policy Act that developed incentives for ethanol production. In 2007, Senator Roberts supported the Energy Independence and Security Act, which improved vehicle fuel economy and provided incentives to develop cellulosic ethanol, the next generation in ethanol production.

S. 2284 now goes to the House of Representatives for debate.

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