By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
!["[W]e have a problem here," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, says at a hearing about the Obama administration's record on energy production. (Associated Press)](http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2012/03/14/20120314-212323-pic-325901412_s101x63.jpg?5dc115c03150ad8f6028152c2e759f9e113a16a0)
Every time President Obama takes credit for rising U.S. oil and gas production during his administration, Republicans start rolling their eyes and grinding their teeth.
Mr. Abbey acknowledged that "oil production from onshore federal minerals last year is down from previous years," but added that federal agencies can do little to influence production once the leases are granted to private companies.
"I will say this, though, where industry decides to produce or to develop is up to them. For example, we have 7,000 applications for permits to drill that are not being drilled," Mr. Abbey said. "We have over 25 million acres of lands we have leased that are not being developed."
