So there are things that Congress can do and we have voted on this over and over again. But the Republicans and the president have resisted. Instead, they have this thing that says drill offshore in the protected areas. Well, we can do that. We can have a vote on that. But it has to be part of something that says we want to bring immediate relief to the public and not just a hoax on them.In response to this news, Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- issued the following statement:
“If Speaker Pelosi is truly sincere about having a vote on deep ocean oil and gas drilling to help bring down fuel costs, she should use her power as Speaker to call Congress back into session immediately and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. Ever since Speaker Pelosi adjourned Congress for a five-week break while Americans are left to suffer at the pump, House Republicans have taken our message of more American-made energy and lower gas prices directly to the American people – on the floor of the House and in communities across the country. Based on the Speaker’s comments last night, it is clear our unprecedented nationwide effort is having an impact.In related news, Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05) is back in Dee Cee to address the Uprising today. Hopefully we will get more from him later...
“Our message to Speaker Pelosi is very simple: we are ready to vote on more energy production and lower gas prices right now, and we should not wait one more day to begin giving the American people the relief they expect and deserve. If you meant what you said last night, we welcome you and your Democratic colleagues to join us in our historic call to action on American energy. End your five-week break early and call Congress back into session now so we can vote for more American-made energy and lower gas prices without any further delay.”
UPDATE: This just in...
Rep. Chris Shays, from Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, joined his fellow House Republicans in Washington last week to protest Democrats’ decision to take a month-long break without voting on real energy reforms. The Hartford Courant said that Shays, “the lone New England Republican in the House, stood in the chamber of the recessed Congress — where the lights are low and microphones are off until the session resumes in September — and demanded that the Democratic majority come back to the Capitol and allow a debate on energy policy.”UPDATE 2: Roy Blunt gets in the game:
Connecticut families and small businesses continue to struggle with some of the highest gas prices and home heating costs in the nation. AAA pegs today’s average per gallon in CT @ $4.00. You can see Rep. Shays demanding a vote on “All of the Above” energy reforms to help lower energy costs here:
No matter which candidate wins today’s Democrat primary in CT, Chris Shays will have an opponent who opposes doing “All of the Above” – including increasing production of American-made energy in an environmentally responsible way – to help lower energy prices.
“I was certainly encouraged to hear the Speaker last night suggest a willingness to allow the House to have an up-or-down vote on the merits of unlocking the potential of America’s abundant energy resources. But the proof will be in the proverbial pudding.UPDATE 3: According to a Harris Interactive poll sponsored by our friends at API, 62% of Ohioans support increasing access to domestic sources of oil and natural gas. 43% strongly support that measure while only 22% are opposed. Another intersting factoid: 97% of Ohioans are concerned with the price of gasoline; 80% is very concerned. This is why the issue resonated with the American people.
“House Republicans have already made our position clear – a position that includes remaining on the floor of the U.S. House to demand a genuine debate and straightforward vote on the most important issue facing Americans today. Despite what we heard last night, the speaker’s position is far from clear – but she could clear that up by bringing the House back into session and working with Republicans to pass a serious energy plan to bring down prices at the pump.”
UPDATE 4: Rep. Hensarling and Sen. DeMint have opened up EnergyFreedomDay.com. Check it out! Sign the petition.
UPDATE 5: Senator Charade Brown (Socialist-OH) ought to review UPDATE 3 and sign this letter pronto! If we had a reliable objective journalist somewhere in the Great State of Ohio, they might ask Charade what his position is on the issue...
UPDATE 6: President Bush Meets with Coalition for Affordable American Energy but fails to call Congress back for an emergency session on the issue...
UPDATE 7: This just in from Rep. Latta (OH-05):
WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) participated in today’s protest on the floor of the House of Representatives, addressing a large number of constituents from across the country who observed Republican members discussing energy policy. Latta and his Republican colleagues laid out an “all of the above” energy policy and asked Speaker Pelosi to immediately reconvene Congress and conduct a vote on comprehensive energy reform legislation.
“Today I delivered a message on behalf of my constituents in the Fifth District: ‘Speaker Pelosi, bring back this House.’ My constituents, along with a majority of the American public want to see Congress pass comprehensive energy reform legislation, but we cannot do that because of Speaker Pelosi’s refusal to reconvene the House. House Republicans have introduced H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, an “all of the above” energy plan which contains similar principles as H. Res. 1206, a resolution that I introduced on May 15th. With multiple pieces of comprehensive energy reform legislation sitting in committee as we speak, there is no excuse to not bring these bills to the floor for a vote,” Latta said today after speaking on the House floor.
“We as a country cannot afford to wait another day to pass this legislation. House Republicans understand that the time to act is now, and we will continue our protest until comprehensive energy legislation is passed,” Latta added.
