Tapping the reserve is among the few things a president can do alone to try to control inflation, which makes Americans poorer and often creates a political liability for the party in control of the White House.

By David Koenig, Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press

The withdrawals have sent the nation's strategic reserve to its lowest level since 1984 in what the administration called a "bridge" until domestic production could be increased.

By Josh Boak, Zeke Miller, Associated Press

The petroleum reserve was created in the wake of the 1970s Arab oil embargo and stores oil at four underground sites in Texas and Louisiana.

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

Sen. Barack Obama delivered a major speech on energy Monday, which included a call to open the nation's strategic oil reserves, while his rival, GOP Sen. John McCain, urged Congress to call off its August recess and pass new energy…