The Nation - News from March 11, 1987

Calling the rising level of oil imports a serious threat to national security, Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tex.) introduced legislation that would trigger action by the President and Congress if imports reach 50% of demand. “There are indications the Administration does not fully appreciate the national security dangers posed by our rising dependence on foreign oil,” he said. He noted that “by the end of 1986 oil imports were flooding into the United States at 6.3 million barrels a day, compared with 3.9 million barrels a day in 1985. As a result, our dependence on foreign oil last year rose to nearly 40%, far above the 27% level in 1985.”