White House to Landrieu: Stop ‘playing politics’ with OMB hold

The Interior Department today lifted the moratorium, paving the way for drilling by companies that can demonstrate they’re meeting beefed up safety standards.

But Landrieu quickly said she’s not ready to lift the hold. She is instead waiting to see how the Interior Department carries out permitting.

“When Congress reconvenes for the lame-duck session next month, I will have had several weeks to evaluate if today’s lifting of the moratorium is actually putting people back to work,” Landrieu said Tuesday.

But Gibbs said it’s inappropriate for Landrieu to link Lew to drilling policy.
 
“Jack didn’t have anything to do with issuing the moratorium, doesn’t currently have anything to do with the moratorium. He passed two Senate committees with more than 40 votes and only one dissenting vote. And obviously a budget director in a time of economic concern and concern about our long-term fiscal picture is somebody that you need at work,” Gibbs said.