President George W. Bush on Tuesday attacked Democratic-controlled Congress for blocking measures to increase domestic oil production and refining capacity, fuelling the heated debate over soaring energy prices in Washington.

Mr Bush called for Congress to reconsider its opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) in Alaska and to approve construction of the first new oil refineries in the US for more than 30 years.

His remarks came amid mounting public concern about high energy prices in the US, with Republicans and Democrats each seeking political capital from the issue on Capitol Hill and the presidential campaign trail. ... Read full article