Back in the United States, congressional Democrats say they’ve agreed to let a ban on offshore drilling expire. The move would pave the way for oil drilling just three miles off both coasts unless the next president reinstates an executive ban. Democrats say they caved to the White House to avoid a showdown over the broader government funding bill. The measure includes home heating assistance for low-income Americans and more money for disaster relief. Democrats say the nation’s oil-drilling policy will be decided by the next election. Both Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama have come out in support of oil drilling, although Obama has called for stricter limits.