This comes as no surprise to regular readers of these pages, but Speaker of State Nancy Pelosi is playing politics with the energy issue. She is deliberately making it so that Democrats who are feeling the heat can look "independent" by denouncing her and the majority's refusal to address the situation that has Americans in a bind.What does this Politico story really mean? It means that Republicans are actually winning the war of ideas on this issue and House Democrats know it.
Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- had this response to the news that Democrat leadership was playing politics: “My message to Democratic lawmakers is this: if you’re really for increased American energy production, then prove it by putting it in writing. Sign the discharge petitions House Republicans are circulating that will force votes on energy legislation Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring to the floor. And sign onto the American Energy Act, our ‘all of the above’ plan to increase conservation, innovation, and American energy production, instead of doing the Speaker’s bidding by voting against bringing it to a vote. If you aren’t willing to put it in writing, you’re fooling no one. You’re siding with the Speaker of the Drill-Nothing Congress and radical special interests that favor higher gas prices, at the expense of energy-strapped American families.”
My guess is that these Democrats will continue to stick their necks out for Speaker Pelosi. And it just might actually be their undoing...
By the way, former Speaker Newt Gingrich will be joining the House Republicans tomorrow. This is one of the few issues in which Newt has been right in quite some time. There has been lots of reaction to that news:
“In the House chamber and across the nation this week, House Republicans are standing united with the American people in protest of Speaker Pelosi’s decision to send Congress home for five weeks without a vote on increased American energy,” said Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH). “More than 1.4 million Americans have signed a petition demanding that Congress pass legislation to lower gas prices and increase production of American-made energy. Tomorrow, former Speaker Newt Gingrich will join House Republicans in the Capitol to present a message on behalf of these Americans and their families as our nationwide protest continues, joining [Reps.] Mike Pence of Indiana, Tom Price of Georgia, and others who have courageously led this GOP uprising on the House floor. Newt’s presence and support will further energize this unprecedented nationwide effort as we continue to call for Congress to give the American people a vote on increased American energy.”
“Millions of Americans have been forced to permanently suspend their vacation plans this summer thanks to the prohibitive cost of fuel. All we’re asking is that Democrats temporarily suspend theirs so we can finally have the debate on energy the American people expect and are frankly shocked we haven’t had,” said Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO). “Having former Speaker Gingrich lend his time and support to this campaign represents a tremendous boon to that effort. It also provides a stark contrast to the ‘lock-it-away’ position on American energy the current Speaker of the House continues to advocate – even as our dependence on Middle East oil grows more dangerous and severe by the day.”
“American families are crying out for relief at the pump, and Democrats have adjourned the House for a five-week recess,” Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL) said. “Tomorrow we will welcome Speaker Gingrich to help continue this unprecedented, coast-to-coast effort to shine a spotlight on the Democratic Congress’s failure to hold an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act. This legislation does it all, and to solve America’s energy crisis, that’s exactly what we need to be doing. The American people support House Republicans’ ‘all-of-the-above’ energy solutions in overwhelming numbers. Speaker Pelosi needs to call Congress back from its five-week recess and hold the up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act and let the will of the House prevail.”
“It is fitting the leader of the first Republican Revolution now returns to support this Republican Revolution for American energy security and independence,” said Republican Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI).
“This fight will not go away until Speaker Pelosi allows an up-or-down vote on energy legislation that relieves the back-breaking burden on our citizens,” said Republican Conference Secretary John Carter (R-TX). “It is ridiculous to walk away from our critical work at a time like this for five weeks of vacation. The chairs where Democrats should be seated are now filled with everyday Americans who have come to the House Floor to listen and respond to the Republican call for greater supplies of American-made energy. This is a vote that must occur. I am proud that tomorrow former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will be joining this effort here in Washington, and I also salute the Republican congressmen and women scattered across the country working tirelessly to force a vote from Speaker Pelosi.”
“We are in the midst of a genuine energy crisis, and we need an all of the above energy policy to get out of it,” said Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Rules Committee Ranking Republican. “That means energy alternatives like wind and solar, as well as more domestic energy exploration. The American people want us to take action, and Speaker Pelosi is standing in the way. I applaud my colleagues and former Speaker Gingrich for keeping up the fight for more American-made energy.”
