Congress Takes a Vacation - Gas Prices Jump 22 Cents

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Springfield, Ohio - State Senator Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek), the Majority Whip of the Ohio Senate and a candidate for the 7th Congressional District, criticized the Democratic Congress today for adjourning for five weeks without passing a comprehensive energy bill. This week, Sen. Austria endorsed the American Energy Act but a vote on the bill was blocked by Democratic leaders as Congress prepared for the five week recess through the month of August. The resolution to adjourn the House passed Wednesday by a vote of 213 to 212 with every Republican voting no. Since the vote, gas prices at the Springfield, Ohio Speedway have jumped $0.22 from $3.47 to $3.69.

"The Democratic Congress is taking a month off rather than providing the American people with the relief at the gas pump that we need. Congress has a comprehensive energy bill pending but Democrats chose to retreat rather than debate. We deserve better than this," Senator Austria said. "It is time for our country to move forward with responsible drilling, alternative energy production, and the promotion of energy conservation. If the Democrats voting to recess saw how high gas prices in Ohio are hurting businesses and families away from the marble steps of the Capitol, they would have a very rude awakening."

Congress was in session a total of 14 days in the month of July. Among the items the Democratic Congress saw fit to pass in July rather than a comprehensive energy bill was a bill designating the Washington-Rochambeau route (H.R.1286) and resolutions congratulating the Arizona State University softball team (H.RES.1323) and the Hamilton College women's lacrosse team (H.RES.1259). The American Energy Act, H.R. 6566, which was not scheduled for a vote, would have provided oil and natural gas drilling, opportunities for new refineries and nuclear power, tax incentives for fuel efficient vehicles, improved home energy efficiency, and a permanent alternative energy production tax credit.