President Bush criticized Congress Wednesday for not allowing more oil drilling in the U.S. Bush lifted the ban on offshore drilling, and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, two weeks ago, but Congress has yet to vote on the issue. But a group of Senators -- including Senator John Thune -- is trying to cooperate to solve the energy problem. 

Senator John Thune has been working with a group of Senators called "The Gang of Ten," five Republicans and five Democrats who are working together to figure out a way to give drivers some relief at the pump. And they're emphasizing both energy conservation and an increase in production. 

Gas prices continue to hit the pocketbooks of drivers hard this summer, and the "Gang of Ten" is trying to find a way to bring some relief. 

Republican South Dakota Senator John Thune says, "What we're focusing on in the 'Gang of Ten' is both. We're trying to come up with new solutions in terms of production in this country but also figure out ways we can conserve energy and use less." 

While President Bush criticizing Democrats Wednesday for not allowing more oil drilling in America, Senator John Thune says his bipartisan group was formed to stop the political games and lower gas prices. 

Thune says, "My view is, and the purpose for the 'Gang of Ten' is to cut through the politics and to really solve the problem. The American people don't want to hear about gridlock and paralysis in Washington D.C. that may be based upon one side thinking they're going to gain a political advantage in the fall elections." 

And by focusing on finding more oil supply in the U.S. and using less oil on America's roads, Thune hopes the "Gang of Ten" can get a bill through Congress to bring down the price at the pump by the time voters head to the polls in November. 

Thune says, "I hope we get a bill through the Congress before the general election. I don't think we should wait until after the election. We need to solve this now."

Thune says he hopes the "Gang of Ten" can have a bill written to lower gas prices by the time Congress takes their August break next week.