US President George W Bush Wednesday drew on surging fuel prices and growing public support for offshore drilling to reiterate his call for Congress to allow the practice in order to curb an energy crisis.

"There is now a growing agreement across our country that the government should permit the exploration and development of these offshore oil resources," Bush said after a meeting with his cabinet to discuss energy.

"Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in Congress have refused to allow a vote."

In June Bush had called on Congress to lift the ban on offshore exploration on the outer continental shelf and lifted the executive restrictions on such exploration.

"I have done my part," he said, and accused the Democratic-led Congress of refusing to allow a vote on the controversial practice before legislators break for their annual one-month recess beginning in early August.

"The sooner Congress lifts the ban, the sooner we can get this oil from the ocean floor to your gas tank," Bush said, adding that the drilling was a "vital priority for the American people."

Rising fuel prices have aggravated economic woes during a "difficult period for millions of American families," Bush said. "The time for action is now." Rising energy costs have emerged as one of the key issues in the ongoing US presidential campaign.

Republican White House hopeful John McCain supports expanded offshore drilling while his Democratic rival Barack Obama is opposed.

Bush, for his part, scheduled a series of energy-related events this week, including to the state of Washington today and tomorrow in West Virginia where he will press his case for boosting coal usage and nuclear power.