After presumed Republican presidential candidate John McCain announced he supported the idea of easing the offshore drilling ban, U.S. President George W. Bush said he plans to ask the Congress on Wednesday to lift the interdiction, White House press secretary Dana Perino said according to CNN.

"For years, the president has pushed Congress to expand our domestic oil supply, but Democrats in Congress have consistently blocked such action," said Perino.

Those who are against the Republican-backed measure already began criticizing it saying that the offshore drilling process would most certainly have numerous negative effects such as eroding wetlands thus harming the aquatic ecosystems, contaminating the water with chemicals, polluting the air, killing fish and dumping waste.

As the gasoline pump price reached $4 per gallon Bush said he plans to urge Congress on Thursday to pass a bill that would lift the congressional ban on safe, environmentally friendly offshore oil drilling according to Perino.

The offshore drilling ban was instituted by the Bush’s father, President George H. W. Bush, in 1990.

By drilling in the currently banned offshore areas the amount of oil produced by the United States would increase with as much as 16 billion barrels according to the estimations made by experts.

By getting involved in this matter, President Bush is also getting mixed up in the presidential campaign by supporting John McCain’s stated policies. The move to relax the offshore drilling moratorium or to lift it was also endorsed by possible Republican vice presidential choice, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.