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.

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.

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

Republican presidential candidate John McCain announced he supported the idea of easing the offshore drilling ban.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama and several environmental groups claim that the 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.