Today, our nation pauses to reflect with gratitude and honor for the sacrifice our veterans have made to defend liberty, preserve freedom and advance the common good. With untold stories of heroism and dedication to duty, men and women who have served in our military have prized country more than self, knowing that freedom isn’t free.

We owe our veterans our utmost respect and support, including Veterans Administration services for health, housing, and education. I am very pleased that the Veterans Administration has selected Dallas for a new VA center, which will open in December 2009 and provide mental, physical, and relational care to local veterans.

As I have done in years past, today I joined North Texans in honoring our veterans at the Dallas Veterans Day Celebration at Dallas City Hall Plaza. Along with Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, I expressed my gratitude to area veterans at the Veteran’s Day ceremony and participated in the parade that followed.

May our veterans know the appreciation and support of a grateful nation.

On Tuesday, October 2, 2008, I visited Highlander Carden School in Dallas, Texas to speak with 5th and 6th grade students about the importance of government and the American voting system.

The American right to vote represents one the most foundational elements of our society, and I was very pleased for the opportunity to discuss with Highlander School students why the American system of democracy is the most successful representational government in history.

Thanks to the dedication of their school teachers and parents, these young people are learning the value of their future civic responsibility to voice their opinion and to participate in our nation’s unique system of government.

Located in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Highlander Carden School provides early childhood and elementary school education to over 200 students. Since 1966, Highlander School has focused on the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of children by utilizing The Carden Method for language arts-based education.

I visited the 5th grade class of Mrs. Debby Duncan and the 6th grade class of Mrs. Mary Jane Gilliam. In addition to discussing the basic tenets of democracy, the students asked specific questions about the economy and about my experience as a public servant.

I commend the 5th and 6th grade students of Highlander Carden School for their informed interest in current political events and the electoral process. A sound knowledge of our nation’s government and system of democracy will serve them well in the years to come as they invest in their community and grow up to become active participants in future elections.

This evening I will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting for North Dallas at the Fretz Recreation Center from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. The address is 6950 Beltline Road, Dallas, TX 75254. For a map, click here.

I look forward to meeting with constituents and speaking about solutions in Congress to increase our domestic energy supply, strengthen our border, support efforts in the War on Terror, and provide tax relief for the American people. I will also have the honor of presenting the National Defense Service Medal to Welsey Gallemore, veteran of the U.S. Navy. I value this time I have to spend in the 32nd District and I encourage all my constituents who are able to attend the Town Hall tonight.

At this afternoon’s press conference, my Republican colleagues and I sent our Energy Now message to the American people, highlighting recent energy events back home in our districts and our constituents’ messages to Congress to act now on energy solutions.

In my floor speech and at the press conference, I also discussed the difference between energy “solutions” in Congress.

My colleagues and I support responsible deep-sea exploration to access energy reserves off the coast of U.S. shores. The fact is that enough oil exists in deep waters many miles off our coasts and on federal lands to power more than 60 million cars for 60 years. Congress should follow the President’s lead and lift the ban on development in the Outer Continental Shelf.

The failure of Majority in Congress to act on sensible energy solutions leaves their energy policy up to the imagination. Taking a cursory view of what Congress has passed the past few months, I found that the Majority had time to debate and pass a resolution recognizing the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation. While alternative transportation is important, I believe that Congress should be spending its time to address the high energy costs that are plaguing millions of Americans. So I brought a bicycle pump to the House floor and to the press conference as a visual reminder of the futility of the Majority Party’s legislative priorities.

While Speaker Pelosi travels the country to promote her own book sales, American families, businesses and school districts are suffering under high energy costs. That is why we will continue energy vote protests, ensuring that the American people’s voice is not silenced in the call for energy solutions now.

The halls of the Capitol today were abuzz with Members of Congress and American citizens gathered to participate and witness the notable energy vote protests on the House floor today. I was pleased to commence today’s energy protest with an invocation, according to the custom of House proceedings. My colleague, Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) led the crowd of Members, staff, tourists, and citizen participants in the pledge of allegiance.

I appreciated the strong Texas representation in the House today as Congressmen Joe Barton (R-Arlington), Michael Burgess (R-Lewisville), Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler), Michael McCall (R-Austin), and I have all come to Washington, DC this week to give a voice to Texans regarding the critical need for Congress to increase American energy production.

As I began my energy speeches on the House floor, I highlighted for the audience the promise made and promise broken for a new Congress under Democrat leadership.

“This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history.” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) November 16, 2006

“I'm not giving the gavel [to them]...They'll have to use their imagination as to how they can get a vote...” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) August 3, 2008

So we’ve used our imagination. . .we’re holding an unprecedented protest on the House floor when Congress is in recess to demand immediate action to increase American energy supply and help reduce the high cost of gasoline.

An open Congress would allow a vote on American energy production. Unfortunately, the Majority has voted against consideration of American-made energy solutions 35 times this summer alone.

Committed to providing workable solutions, my colleagues and I propose the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) that provides an “all-of-the-above” American energy solution:

• Increasing the supply American-made energy in environmentally sound ways
• Improving energy conservation and efficiency
• Promoting clean, renewable energy technologies

For current gas price relief and long-term energy independence, Congress must increase supply by opening American oil and gas to environmentally-sensitive energy produce and decrease demand by prioritizing energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy development. The American people want action, and they should see nothing less from their Congress.

This morning, I am joining my Republican colleagues to continue our historic protest over Congress’ decision to recess for five weeks instead of addressing American energy production to reduce high gas prices.

As noted in a recent Dallas Morning News article headlined “House Republicans use sit-in to protest lack of drilling vote,” a number of North Texas Members of Congress are joining the call to action, including Congressmen Jeb Hensarling and Michael Burgess. Congresswoman Kay Granger also joined the protest on Tuesday.

While their colleagues returned home for vacation, a small group of conservative Republicans took to the House floor Monday to protest Speaker Nancy Pelosi's refusal to hold a vote on offshore oil drilling.

The group of about 30 Republicans, including Reps. Jeb Hensarling of Dallas and Mike Conaway of Midland, is hoping the sit-in will pressure House Democrats to support Republican policies aimed at lowering gasoline prices. [. . .]

Reps. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, and Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, are adjusting their schedules so they can take part, aides said. (Dallas Morning News, 5 August 2008)

After kicking off today’s protest with a news conference at 11 am EDT, my colleagues and I will take to the House floor to resume our call for an up-or-down vote on American energy production. Even with the lights dimmed, microphones silenced, and recording devices banned on the House floor, my colleagues and I are still rallying support for American-made energy solutions, speaking to a chamber full of Capitol visitors and concerned citizens.

At 2 pm EDT, my colleagues and I will again take our case to the American people through media airwaves at another news conference, followed by continued House floor speeches on American energy solutions for the remainder of the work day.

As the day progresses, I look forward to adding additional blog posts about this unprecedented protest for action on American energy solutions. Stay tuned. . .

Lights turned down. Microphones silenced. Drinking water removed. Journalists expelled. These actions represent just a few of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempts last Friday to shut down debate on American solutions to lower gas prices and to address the nation’s energy crisis.

However, House Republicans were not deterred. In an unprecedented protest, nearly 50 Members stayed on the House floor for five hours – despite no air conditioning and limited electricity – to demand a vote on legislation to reduce the burden of high gas prices on American families. While journalists were barred from their normal access to the House chamber doors, a staff member’s cell phone camera captured a few speeches on the House floor.

Click Here to View Video

But our call for a vote on American energy production doesn’t end there. We will not allow the voices of hard-working Americans to be silenced because Democrats in Congress have gone on vacation.

This week, my Republican colleagues and I will continue our quest for an up-or-down vote on American-made energy, utilizing tag-team efforts to allow Members to balance District work commitments and energy vote advocacy.

On Wednesday, I will travel back to Washington, DC to join the call for action to address our nation’s energy crisis, demanding a vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) that provides an “all of the above” American energy solution:

• Increasing the supply American-made energy in environmentally sound ways

• Improving energy conservation and efficiency

• Promoting clean, renewable energy technologies

It is past time to champion American-made energy. Energy independence has no quick fixes, but together we can work to lower the high cost of gasoline and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil through lasting energy solutions. I pledge to continue fighting for American-made energy solutions. The prosperity of American families and our economy depends on it.

Today, the Office of Management and Budget announced that this year’s budget deficit has increased from $162 billion to $389 billion – 2.7% of our economy. In addition to the economic slowdown, Congressional Democrats’ wasteful, out of control spending has also become a detriment to our nation’s economy—it is no surprise that their approval ratings are the lowest to-date.

With plans to impose the largest tax increase in history upon American families and businesses, the Majority’s fiscal irresponsibility is threatening the well being of the next generation. Their runaway spending and increased taxes will only worsen our country’s budget deficit, harming our economy and costing us American jobs.

As Democrats in the House and Senate continue to reveal their plan to tax and spend, my Republican colleagues and I will not allow wasteful Washington spending to pass in the House without a fight. The best way to balance the budget, reduce the deficit, and grow jobs is to put an end to inefficient spending and promote free-market, pro-growth economic policies. I remain committed to working with my Republican colleagues to reduce Government spending and tax burdens on the American people, and I will call on the Majority in the coming days to end tax-and-spend policies that are hurting the economy and increasing the deficit.

As gas prices remain above $4 a gallon and jet fuel costs increase, Congressional Democrats’ blame game has made “speculators” in the energy futures market the latest scapegoat for our nation’s energy crisis.

Fortunately, a number of editorial boards across the nation have shown the intellectual fortitude to avoid jumping on the “blame speculators” bandwagon and instead articulate an informed perspective on the economic importance of the futures market and the real energy crisis culprit of low supply and high demand.

Today, the Dallas Morning News published an editorial that aptly summarizes the fallacy of blaming speculators for high gas prices:

Editorial: Oil 'speculation' not the problem
As voters feel pocketbook pain at the pump, Democrats in Congress are poised to make matters worse. Led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, they're pushing to crack down on speculative oil trading practices, which they contend add as much as 30 percent to the price of a barrel of crude.

Never mind that numerous experts say energy speculation is difficult to define or regulate, and that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and others insist that high demand and short supply – not oil speculation – is the chief reason for high energy prices.

Although the bill passed a procedural hurdle in the Senate yesterday, lawmakers need to reconsider the unintended consequences of this approach. Pension funds, endowments and other institutional investors pump massive amounts of dollars into the commodity markets. Some of these dollars are used to hedge investment risks, a sound strategy that encourages additional investment and contributes to economic growth. Scores of industries and investors benefit from these transactions.

Now enter Congress with a political mission to drive down oil prices, and investors suddenly are labeled as speculators. Suppose a farmer wants to hedge against rising fertilizer prices by relying on a natural gas futures contract, an example cited in a recent New York Times story. This bill would label the farmer and the financial institutions that handle the trades as improper speculators because neither directly buys nor produces petroleum for their own use.

High oil prices will fall when supply and demand are in better balance and the dollar strengthens. The energy bubble will pop, but Congress shouldn't hold the pin with votes in mind. (Dallas Morning News, 23 July 2008)

The fact is that energy futures are an important price-discovery and risk management tool for American businesses. Despite this reality, the Democrat Majority in Congress has passed “speculators” legislation that simply restates current law and does nothing to address the lack of energy supply.

Rather than blaming the free-market system, Congress should focus on increasing energy supply and achieving lasting energy independence though conservation, efficiency, and the development of clean renewable energy. Our nation’s economy and future prosperity depend on it.