WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday night passed an energy bill clearing the way for more oil drilling off U.S. coasts , but not nearly as much as Republican leaders wanted . The bill was passed by a vote of 236-189 . Many Republicans opposed the bill because it would allow new oil drilling only between 50 and 100 miles offshore . Republicans generally want to allow new drilling starting 3 miles from shore . Republicans also objected to provisions repealing tax cuts for the oil industry and what they said was a lack of incentive for states to allow drilling on their land . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , told reporters Tuesday : `` The American taxpayers have been ripped off for years on offshore drilling . This bill changes that . '' Before the vote , Pelosi said the bill presented a choice between `` the status quo , which is preferred by Big Oil , '' and `` change for the future to take our country in a new direction . '' Fifteen Republicans voted for the largely Democrat-backed bill . Thirteen Democrats voted against it . The Senate , meanwhile , could vote on various energy proposals , including more offshore drilling , as early as this week . The House bill would require states to give their permission for drilling on their land . It also would offer incentives for renewable energy , require the government to release oil from its emergency reserve , and force oil companies to drill on federal lands they already lease from the government . Democratic leaders had previously opposed Republican-led efforts to repeal a 1981 law barring most offshore drilling . But they changed course over the August recess , saying their new plans would allow some expanded drilling . See where U.S. offshore drilling is banned » . But Republicans say the House bill would n't expand offshore drilling enough . Before the vote , Rep. Mike Pence , an Indiana Republican , called the bill `` a charade , '' denying it would do what its backers claim . `` This is not 'yes ' to drilling . This is 'yes , but , ' `` he said . `` This is 'yes , but no drilling in Alaska , no drilling in the Eastern Gulf , no drilling inside 50 miles , ' `` Pence said . `` This is 'yes , but no litigation reform that will prevent radical environmental attorneys from tying up leases even before a single shovel of dirt is turned . ' `` Democrats and Republicans traded harsh words on the House floor Tuesday in the debate over the bill . Rep. Anthony Weiner , a New York Democrat , said President Bush 's `` idea of an energy policy is holding hands with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia , embracing him with a big smooch . '' When the Republicans `` controlled Congress , [ they ] passed their own energy bill , signed into law by the president . We got into this mess , '' Weiner said . But Rep. Jeb Hensarling , a Texas Republican , shot back that the Democrats ' bill is a `` sham '' and a `` fraud . '' `` This is a bill designed to ensure Democrats ' re-election , not designed to ensure affordable energy in America , '' Hensarling said . Hensarling also complained about how the bill was brought to the floor : `` No amendments , no substitutes , no committee hearings . Is this democracy ? No . ''
NEW : Bill passes by 236-189 vote . Democrats ' plan would expand offshore drilling , but Republicans not satisfied . Some Republicans fought proposal , saying too many areas still would be banned . Republican representative : `` This is not 'yes ' to drilling . This is 'yes , but ' ``