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The Republican president, who is in the final months of his second term in office, said Saturday during his weekly radio address that by drilling domestically, the price of crude oil would likely come down and the U.S. public would see lower prices at the gas pump, a White House transcript of Bush's speech said.

In addition to calling for drilling and oil exploration in areas of the United States, Bush said the country's refining capacity should be beefed up to drive down energy costs.

Bush said no U.S. oil refineries have been built during the last 30 years, the United States has become overly reliant on costly refined oil from overseas.

The president also called on congressional Democrats to support his proposals by July 4 or explain to the public why they chose not to act.

"Now that their opposition has helped drive gas prices to record levels, I ask them to reconsider their positions", Bush said. "If congressional leaders leave for the Fourth of July recess without taking action, they will need to explain why $4-a-gallon gasoline is not enough incentive for them to act."

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