by Matthew Hay Brown
The lights have been dimmed and Congress has gone home, but a couple dozen House Republicans continued their floor protest today of what they're calling the "Pelosi shutdown" - the decision by Democrats last week to adjourn for the previously scheduled August recess without voting on opening new areas to drilling.
"What heartens me as I hear the speeches of the men and women gathered around me is that I know in my heart we are speaking and giving voice to the will of the overwhelming majority of the American people who want this Congress to return to Washington, D.C., and give the American people more access to American oil," said Rep. Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican.
"I'm absolutely confident that, if this Congress were brought back to Washington, D.C., and given an opportunity to vote on giving more access to the American people of American oil, that there is a bipartisan majority in the Congress that would pass that measure."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has labeled calls to open more domestic areas for drilling "a hoax." Democrats have pushed Bush to release supply from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and say oil companies should explore the tens of millions of acres on which they already hold drilling leases before they are given new areas are opened up.
"Democrats offered a real solution to high energy prices that would bring immediate relief within 10 days by forcing the President to free our oil from the nation's stockpile," Pelosi said. "The Republicans propose to give away public lands to Big Oil, which will not immediately reduce the price at the pump and save Americans only 2 cents 10 years from now. This Republican hoax is unworthy of the serious debate we must have to reduce the price at the pump and promote energy independence."
MoveOn.org, meanwhile, is threatening a counterprotest on Capitol Hill, where members are planning to hand out bumper stickers tagging Republicans as the Grand Oil Party.
Republicans say they support alternative energy sources, but more drilling must be part of the mix.
"In my district, you'll see a lot of wind turbines," said Marilyn Musgrave, a Colorado Republican. "You'll see a lot of activities in labs for research and development of biodiesel and other renewables and alternatives. It's poised to be one of the leading districts in the nation on renewables.
"But what you'll also see is a lot of oil and gas activity, especially in Weld County, where there's great agriculture going on and yet a lot of exploration."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer dismissed today's protest as a "stunt" perpetrated by a "smattering" of Republicans.
"Meanwhile, most of their Republican colleagues returned home burdened with trying to explain why they blocked efforts to combat high gas prices," the Maryland Democrat said. "Republicans voted against expanding drilling in Alaska, against promoting renewable energy, against establishing the first new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years, against repealing taxpayer subsidies for major oil companies that are making record profits, against cracking down on price gouging, and against curbing excessive speculation in energy markets.
"For six years, Republicans controlled every branch of government and did nothing while America became more dependent on foreign sources of oil. House Republicans now want to dust off old proposals, rejected by Congress on a bipartisan basis as bad ideas, and claim they have put forward 'solutions.' "
Rep. Peter Roskam, an Illinois Republican, said he was at home with his family on Sunday afternoon when his BlackBerry buzzed with word of the day's session.
"I loaded up the minivan with our four children, just like the Griswolds, and we drove through the night," he said. Covering the 725 miles from Wheaton, Ill., to Washington in 14 hours, he averaged an energy-efficient 52 miles per hour.
"You sense the change that is happening in the debate," Roskam said. "You sense the change that the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, Senator Obama, is beginning to see the light on this and we welcome him to see the light on this. ...
"I think if we can continue to push, continue to push, continue to push, then ultimately the American people are going to be winners."
The Griswolds, of course, are the ill-starred travelers from National Lampoon's Vacation movies.
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Comments
The Republicans have been revolting ever since their incredible leader, President Bush, took Office. So revolting, I get sick just thinking about them !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | August 4, 2008 4:00 PM
Hey Welcome back Don!! Where the heck have you been?
Even still, no republican will believe Pelosi or the democrats. Only well educated people understand that opening up more sites will do nothing for us now or in the future for that matter. The time is now to jump start on alternatvie energy. The republicans will push this issue because they know the majority of middle Americans will fall for it. Its a sad shame that education in this country is so low that these republicans are taking advantage of the sad state of education and using scare tactics that they know will work. For those of you republicans that do have an education, and believe this hoax will save you at the gas pump. Good luck with that!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | August 4, 2008 4:14 PM
Indeed, the House Republicans ARE revolting. How many of Illinois' finest GOPers are there to participate in this circus?
Posted by: athena | August 4, 2008 4:45 PM
A hoax, huh? There are people who feel differently and are willing to put their money where their mouth is and invest in offshore drilling. Then there are windbags like Pelosi who initially reject any GOP proposal for political reasons. This gets the far left foaming at the mouth, then Pelosi pulls the rug out from under them by capitulating. We've seen this before with war funding, FISA, etc. Puff, puff, puff, fold. That is the legacy of the Pelosi House. The people want more drilling. I thought the House was designed to reflect the will of the people, and we have a House Speaker who wont even allow a vote? What a joke. Every time Pelosi opens her mouth about this, she digs a deeper hole, and ensures she will look even dumber when she inevitably caves in.
We reap what we sow. San Francisco politics is completely detached from American reality, and we put their favorite daughter in charge of the House. What do you get? A Congress with an approval rating slightly above syphilis.
Posted by: Herbie H. | August 4, 2008 5:04 PM
The Republicans should take a page out of the activists play book. They should all come back and stage a "HOUSE IN"
They should all just move into the chamber cots and all and don't leave until Dictator Pelosi calls for a vote. In fact every GOP running for congress who is not a member should join them. Let Dictator Pelosi have "HER" police force evict them.
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | August 4, 2008 5:32 PM
So the House Republicans are having a slumber party in honor of their big oil company friends?....gee, how sweet.
Posted by: derrick | August 4, 2008 6:02 PM
gOLLY, WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WAS "..OBAMA.."
HIMSELF THAT ORIGINALLY
COMPARED HIMSELF TO
PARIS HILTON AND HER
FRIENDS:
Remember OBAMA said:
"Everyone gets 15 minutes
of fame but I have gotten an
hour and a half. I am over
exposed just like Paris
Hilton..." (sic) But, I am
sure that you all know what
reference he made. Now he
acts like he never heard of
Paris Hilton. He is so in love
with himself he;d make a very
poor president.
Posted by: TRACEY | August 4, 2008 7:19 PM
Ya know, I'd much rather Pelosi used her police force to drag Harriet Miers, Josh Bolton and Karl Rove to the House to face their subpeonas!
Posted by: athena | August 4, 2008 7:21 PM
My God its a trifecta - FITZ, Scottie and Athena - all the economic geniuses in one place.
Scottie - remember that education you disparge is un by the gov't - another fine example of the gov't at work. Hmm, Scottie -will jumping today to alternative energy solve today's prices - no. Finally Scottie - I have a business background and have worked in the energy industry and yes increasing supply will lower prices. Go back to being a little PR guy and leave the cfritical thinking to the experts.
Athena - not enough - I believe the Illinois democrats - Blago, Stroger, Daley, Jones, Jacksons, Madigans, etc... have cornered the market on embarassing Illinois politicians.
Posted by: Terry | August 4, 2008 8:40 PM
Like Mr. Pickens said " you aren't going to drill yourself out of this one". McCain could go back to Washington and sit, would be doing this country a favor. He is not qualified to lead this country. His experience, and George's are all the experience I need for a couple of decades. Ronald Reagan helped create this mess when he trashed President Carter's energy plan in the 80's. Reagan said that "we don't need an energy plan". Intelligence will trump experience, anytime, anyplace! 169 more days until Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of this great Republic. whiteagle38
Posted by: Whiteagle38 | August 4, 2008 9:37 PM
It is about time for a damn Revolt. If they hadn't, I may have had to start one in Texas.
That's the one thing that you socialists would No Doubt throw your enthusiastic support and encouragement behind, but let me just give you a little secret from Crude World. Lube oils are generally made from Grade A Naphthenic crudes. We happen to have that in Texas. If you own anything mechanical, you would be getting that Economics lesson, that you are so in dire need of, sooner than later.
From the FREE Republic of Texas, have a nice night.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 4, 2008 11:01 PM
ter, you worked in the energy industry? musta been exxon-immobile, the only oil company that doesn't understand basic science.
end, try ta lern how ta right jenius. ya'll show yer culleers whin yer ceryus.
Posted by: crud | August 4, 2008 11:42 PM
John McCain has received two million dollars from the oil industry, and now he want to give them a four Billion dollars tax break, when they are raking- in record profits on the shoulders of America. So, John McCain said, “Our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been thirty years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington to think long-term about the future of the country.” What John McCain neglected to mention was that during those thirty years, he was in Washington for twenty-six of them. And in all that time, he did little to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Not to mention, that out of the last twenty eight years, twenty of those years, our nation energy policies were manipulated by an oil man in the Whitehouse representing his party interest (George Sr.12 years. George Jr.8 years) that have all but destroyed our Country.
Here is some straight talk. When John McCain was running in the Republican primary he never mention or addressed anything about this nation energy problems. After the primary, he saw that Barack Obama energy position along with his other ideas was getting footage so he flip-flopped, and quickly turned into Mitt Romney. The Straight Talk express at its best. Although Jack Cafferty is one of my favorite reporters in the media today, they are wrong! So here my question to you: Why do Jack Cafferty and others in the news media find it so amusing to report on Barack Obama supposedly flip-flopping and gaffes, when John McCain have twisted on more issues to have started a tornado with his silly shenanigans, then any Politician in recent history beside Mitt Romney, not to mention his long list of gaffes. Yet, they fail to give equal negative coverage. Can I be sensing media bias? After all, Barack Obama has received 72% negative coverage, when they have reported on him. WHY? America has to stop acting like they don't know the difference between right and wrong. Thus, John McCain campaign is represented by lies instead of real ideas!
Finally, there are those who say that John McCain’s new ad depicts Barack Obama as trying to present himself as a messiah, well I beg to differ. I believe that John McCain new ad tries to depict Barack Obama as being as old as Moses, when John McCain himself is old enough to have been Moses childhood buddy!
Posted by: Rod | August 5, 2008 12:17 AM
Terry,
The socialist economists are a rare breed. You need to go easy on them. Man, I get a headache trying to sort through their convoluted Non-Logic. Why the hell can't they just buy an economics text book the next time they are drinking the Starbucks swill. Too much to reasonably expect, I guess.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 5, 2008 12:45 AM
Terry, no, jumping to alternative energy today will not help you at the pump today. NEITHER WILL MORE DRILLIING!!! What grade are you in anyway? As for the horrible condition of education in this country, you have only Bush and the rest of you republicants to thank for that. You guys have been cutting education since the dawn of time so you can spend more on tax cuts for the wealthy and funding wars! And by the way Terry, my name is Scot.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | August 5, 2008 7:42 AM
The Republicans will be back again TODAY. I heard something about a couple of the Democrats are talking about having her step down as Speaker if she doesn't come back. I guess EVERYONE is figuring out that it's the WILL OF THE PEOPLE STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Shake the fence | August 5, 2008 8:01 AM
The Republicans will be back again TODAY. I heard something about a couple of the Democrats are talking about having her step down as Speaker if she doesn't come back. I guess EVERYONE is figuring out that it's the WILL OF THE PEOPLE STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Shake the fence | August 5, 2008 8:01 AM
Actually, it's the will of the stupid people.
What are the Republicants going to do if we increase production by X and the Saudis decrease supply by -X? Pretty sure that means supply will not increase, so that prices will not drop unless demand decreases.
Posted by: a blinkin | August 5, 2008 12:38 PM
What are the Republicants going to do if we increase production by X and the Saudis decrease supply by -X? Pretty sure that means supply will not increase, so that prices will not drop unless demand decreases.
Posted by: a blinkin | August 5, 2008 12:38 PM
a blinkin, THIS is Great! democrats, doing Math AND Economics. Goin' to have to barbecue a COW! For the scenario that you presented, your supply-price outcome is unassailable. Xcellent piece of work. Seriously. I would come at my Algebra and Geometry students with x's and y's and that game is OVER. Xcellent.
New Scenario. The Saudis do their thing as you have prescribed, and we DON'T do jack. What would THAT mean.
We are in the Beggars' position here. We are more than a little at their mercy. That is why Republicans feell a need for a Strategic Reserve, but for critical crisis Security situations, not for relieving the pain of visiting grandma in August, which I feel too. The good news is that the Saudis are still collectors of the worthless, Bush Devalued, American dollar and it is a World market.
There's Hope. Keep Hope Alive. Exciting. Man, what a great country.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 5, 2008 2:37 PM
winkin blinkin and nod, wake up-We can have the same arranement that other countries have, where their people get first dibs on oil and after that everyone else gets what's left at the price of the market.
It doesn't matter if Saudi's do cut production, which they won't do because China and India's economies are still growing and will continue to gobble up large amts of oil, because we will THEN have our OWN OIL, and we're not subject to what they do with their productions. If we pull out of the World Oil Market, and use only domestic oil and from friends not in Opec (Canada and Mexico), it won't matter what happens on the World Oil Market and Saudi's lose control over us.
Posted by: STH | August 5, 2008 3:29 PM
Crud, while you were busy sharpening your secretarial skills, I was learning math and econ.
Scottie - thank for letting me know your name is Scot, but anyway Scottie, the anouncement of opening up more coastline for drilling would have an immediate impact on the oil market. Besides, I believe many things we do, or should do, are part of planning for the future - such as education, and retirement savings.
Scottie, you believe that public education in this country starting going downhill when President Bush took over??? Public education has been going downhill for a couple decades. Also, public education is a local gov't problem, not federal.
Blink boy,
If we raise our production by "X" and the Saudis decrease their production by "X", yes prices would stay the same, with the exception that we would pay less for oil tanker transportation. The major benefit is that the money would stay home with companies such as XOM who would be increasing the record tax payments to the gov't - so you should be smiling.
Posted by: Terry | August 5, 2008 8:35 PM