House approves offshore drilling bill Election-year jitters over high gasoline prices prompted House Democrats on Tuesday to push through a broad energy plan that for the first time in more than a quarter of a century would allow oil and gas drilling off the East and West coasts. The fate of the legislation, which Republican members contended would produce little new domestic oil, remains uncertain. The politically sensitive issue of offshore drilling may only be resolved as part of a budget bill that Congress must approve before it adjourns at month's end. The measure, which was approved 236-189, would allow states to authorize drilling 50 to 100 miles from their coasts. The federal government would be allowed to approve drilling 100 to 200 miles from shore....