Past Daily Fact Sheets

September 24, 2008

House Republicans – and the American people – scored a major victory when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her Democratic colleagues finally realized they could not defy the will of American families, seniors, and small businesses any longer and removed the outdated bans on offshore and oil shale energy production from its continuing resolution appropriations legislation.

• Even with this victory, neither Republicans nor the American people will back down from their demands for a truly comprehensive approach to bring down fuel costs. 
  
• Democrats still have consistently blocked a vote on the House GOP’s American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), a bill that does not stop at environmentally-responsible drilling alone – but instead does “all of the above.” 
  
• The measure includes critical revenue-sharing agreements that would give states an incentive to allow energy production in their energy reserves, encourages more conservation and efficiency, and creates a renewable energy trust fund that would be financed through drilling revenues from several energy-rich locations in Alaska and far off our shores.
  
• How much longer will Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues continue to block consideration of H.R. 6566?
  

Download Print Version

 

September 15, 2008

Here are 10 ways that the Democrats’ “no energy” bill fails the American people at a time when real leadership on this issue is needed most:

1. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently locks up 80 percent of American energy on the Outer Continental Shelf
2. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently locks up more than 1 trillion barrels of oil from oil shale in the Inter-Mountain West.
3. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently locks up more than 10 billion barrels of oil on Alaska’s remote North Slope – an area where energy production and wildlife have been safely coexisting for decades.
4. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill blocks more nuclear power production – clean, efficient, and less costly production that nations such as France have been safely using for years while the United States continues to fall behind.
5. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill does nothing to construct new clean coal energy production facilities – facilities that are a win-win, with benefits both to consumers and for the environment.
6. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill raises taxes – a new burden for overstressed consumers already paying high prices at the pump and preparing to pay higher home heating costs this winter.
7. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently prevents federal agencies from using unconventional and alternative sources of fuel at exactly the time when Congress should be encouraging the use of these fuels.
8. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill increases electricity costs on families, seniors, and small businesses by creating a new, heavy-handed electricity mandate.
9. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill includes plans for exactly zero new refineries to be built on American soil.  Is this the way to show our competitors around the globe that we are finally serious about achieving energy independence?
10. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill defies the will of a solid majority of Americans who support the House GOP’s “all of the above” plan to increase American energy production, promote the use of alternative and renewable fuels, and encourage more conservation and efficiency.

Download Print Version

August 22, 2008

• Gas prices – which have risen 60 percent on the Democrats’ watch – remain high, home heating costs poised to follow suit this fall and winter.  Families, seniors, small businesses, and schools are suffering suffer – all thanks one anti-American energy tactic after another on Capitol Hill.

• All year long, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has blocked a meaningful vote on the energy reforms the American people want – and she’s still blocking one.  With each day that passes, she is defying the will of the American people by blocking an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), House Republicans’ “all of the above” bill to lower gas prices by increasing production of American energy, promoting more conservation and efficiency, and encouraging the use of more alternative and renewable fuels. 

• Congress’ five-week summer break continues to drag on – and there’s been no indication from the Speaker that she will allow an honest debate and vote on the House GOP’s “all of the above” reforms even after Congress returns in September.

• Instead of allowing a vote, the Speaker is employing a new tactic to block the will of the House and that of American families, seniors, and small businesses: drafting a new “plan” in secret, and loading it with enough poison pills to ensure its defeat – including expressly forbidding expanded energy production far off the shores of her own home state. 

• How much longer will the Speaker continue to defy the will of the American people? 

Download Print Version

 

August 21, 2008

• As a new round of polling shows continued strong support from the American people for increased American energy production to lower gas prices, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is still refusing to allow a straight up-or-down vote on the House GOP’s “all of the above” plan to lower prices at the pump.  The plan, introduced as the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), would lower gas prices by increasing production of American energy, promoting more conservation and efficiency, and encouraging the use of more alternative and renewable fuels. 
  
  
• Not only does this morning’s New York Times report that 62 percent of respondents to a fresh poll sponsored by the newspaper and CBS News favor increased energy production far off our nation’s shores, but a story in today’s Wall Street Journal titled “Voters Want Everything on Energy” highlights new polling the newspaper has conducted with NBC News.  The results indicate strong support for the House Republicans’ “all of the above” strategy for energy independence.
  
  
• While the Speaker ducks and dodges straightforward questions on the “all of the above” strategy Americans solidly support to bring down the price at the pump, House Republicans continue their historic nationwide gas prices protest on the floor of the U.S. House and in communities across the country.  Poised to wrap-up its third full week, the unprecedented revolt is making waves with news outlets from coast to coast and giving a voice to Americans fed up with a Democratic Congress that blocked a vote on a comprehensive plan to lower gas prices before leaving Washington for a five-week break.  How much longer will Speaker Pelosi continue to ignore families, seniors, and small businesses by refusing to allow a vote on the “all of the above” plan they support and expect?

Download Print Version

 

August 20, 2008

House Republican Leader John Boehner joined Reps. Jim Gerlach (PA), Robin Hayes (NC), John Mica (FL), Mike Simpson (ID), Mike Turner (OH) for Day 14 of the unprecedented nationwide gas prices protest on the House floor today.

• Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues are on the wrong side of public opinion on the issue, and yet they continue to block a vote on the American Energy Act, the House GOP’s “all of the above,” common sense approach to lowering gas prices.  And they are doing so at the behest of radical, special interest allies who actually prefer higher gas prices.

• House GOP leaders are stepping up the pressure on House Democrats, sending a letter to 22 rank-and-file Democrats who have consistently voted with Speaker Pelosi to block American energy proposals on the House floor, and urging them to sign onto the American Energy Act as well as the discharge petitions House Republicans are circulating. 

• House Republicans will continue to hold Democrats accountable for their chronic negligence that comes at the expense of working families, small businesses, seniors and schools across the country.

 

Download Print Version

 

August 19, 2008

• Speaker Pelosi’s latest scheme to block the will of the House and that of American families, seniors, and small businesses who favor an “all of the above” energy plan to lower gas prices has become clear over the last few days.  The Speaker is now drafting a new “energy plan” in secret, while loading it with enough poison pills to ensure its defeat.  Why?  Because she doesn’t want to give Congress a simple up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), House Republicans’ comprehensive bill to lower gas prices by increasing production of American energy, promoting more conservation and efficiency, and encouraging the use of more alternative and renewable fuels. 

• Not surprisingly, some of the Democratic Majority’s closest special interest allies are complicit in this latest “no energy” scheme.  At the top of that list: the Sierra Club, a radical, anti-American energy organization which has contributed nearly $75,000 and dished out nearly $45,000 in independent expenditures for Democrats during this election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.  In a statement last Friday, the Sierra Club embraced the Speaker’s latest “energy” gambit.

• With gas prices remaining high and home heating costs expected to rise this autumn and winter as well, congressional Democrats have aligned themselves with radical groups like the Sierra Club in support of a mutual agenda of high gas prices and less American energy.  In contrast, poll after poll shows the American people favor more American energy to bring down the price at the pump – which is a cornerstone of the House GOP’s American Energy Act.  How much longer will Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues continue to defy the will of American families, seniors, and small businesses to do the bidding of their special interest allies on the Left?
  

Download Print Version

August 18, 2008

• All year long, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has blocked a meaningful vote on the “all of the above” energy reforms the American people want – and she’s still blocking one.  Congress’ five-week summer break continues to drag on – and there’s been no indication from the Speaker that she will allow an honest debate and vote on the comprehensive “all of the above” energy reforms Americans want even after Congress returns in September.

• Instead of allowing a vote, the Speaker is employing a new tactic to block the will of the House and that of American families, seniors, and small businesses: drafting a new “plan” in secret, and loading it with enough poison pills to ensure its defeat – including expressly forbidding expanded energy production far off the shores of her own home state. 

• After doing everything in her power to block a vote on the American Energy Act, it is evident that the Speaker will continue to defy the American people for as long as it takes.  In the end, gas prices – which have risen 60 percent on the Democrats’ watch – will remain high and home heating costs will follow suit this fall and winter.  And families, seniors, small businesses, and schools will suffer – all thanks one anti-American energy tactic after another on Capitol Hill.
  

Download Print Version

August 15, 2008

While Americans are forced to deal with record gasoline prices every day, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues adjourned Congress and left Washington on August 1st for a five-week break, essentially telling families and small businesses to fend for themselves in the midst of this energy crisis.  House Republicans have refused to go along with the Democrats’ plans. Instead, we have launched a nationwide gas prices revolt – both on the House floor itself and in communities across the country – to demand a vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), our “all of the above” plan to increase production of American energy, promote more conservation and efficiency, and encourage the use of more alternative and renewable fuels.

• One way in which we are highlighting our “all of the above” plan is by asking Americans how the gas price crisis is impacting them.  In just a couple of weeks, when America’s students head back to school, we will begin to see the energy crunch hit home in a new way. From elementary and secondary schools to community colleges and universities, schools at every level will be grappling with high prices for fuel. And House Republicans want to learn how.

• USA Today recently reported that schools already are bracing for energy troubles this fall and beyond, noting, “Fuel and energy costs are rising so quickly for the USA’s public school districts that nearly one in seven is considering cutting back to four-day weeks this fall. One in four is considering limits on athletics and other extracurricular activities, and nearly one in three is eliminating teaching jobs.”
  
  
• Whether you are a parent, a student, a school official, or a taxpayer, the House Republicans’ energy survey for schools gives you a chance to tell Congress – and specifically Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership – how the energy crunch is affecting you. Please take a moment to visit the website and complete the short, online survey. Your input will give our efforts to increase American energy production and reduce gas prices even more momentum as Congress officially returns to Washington next month.

Download Print Version

August 14, 2008

• The House GOP’s nationwide gas prices protest rolls on today, with Republicans promoting their “all of the above” energy plan to lower gas prices on the House floor and in local communities across the country.  Meanwhile, Democrats are reeling – from the GOP’s unprecedented revolt and from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) comments to CNN’s Larry King earlier this week that the House “can have a vote” on expanded drilling for oil and gas.  The Los Angeles Times reports this morning that the Democrats are scrambling to avoid more backlash from American families and small businesses saddled with high gas prices under the Democratic Majority.
  
  
• Why are the Democrats so panicked?  Well, because a strong majority of the American people agree with Republicans on the number one issue in the country today.  As Robert Samuelson wrote in the Washington Post yesterday, “The Democrats are deservedly getting pounded on this.”  But the fact is, Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues really don’t support more drilling for oil and gas to help bring down fuel costs.  After all, they’ve spent months blocking a vote on increased production of American energy for precisely that reason.  An editorial in yesterday’s Investor’s Business Daily reports that the Democrats’ latest tactic may be to load up a bill that contains token “energy production” with scores of unrelated items, including tax hikes and taxpayer-funded pork.
  
  
• Families and small businesses feeling the pain at the pump can be sure that the Speaker has more tricks up her sleeve to stop the production of more American energy.  How much longer will Democrats continue defying the will of the American people for more American-made energy and lower gas prices?

Download Print Version

August 13, 2008

• The House GOP’s nationwide gas prices protest rolls on today, with Members promoting their “all of the above” energy plan to lower gas prices on the House floor and in local communities across the country.  Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her Democratic colleagues are still reeling from her comments to CNN’s Larry King that the House “can have a vote” on expanded drilling for oil and gas.  For the last 36 hours, Democrats have scrambled to explain away those comments and today will convene an all-hands-on-deck conference call to determine their latest energy “strategy.”

• Why are the Democrats so panicked?  Well, aside from the fact that they continue to be on the wrong side of public opinion on the number one issue on the minds of the American people, the fact is, Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues really don’t support more drilling for oil and gas to help bring down fuel costs.  After all, they’ve spent months blocking a vote on increased production of American energy for precisely that reason.  An editorial in today’s Investor’s Business Daily reports that the Democrats’ latest tactic may be to load up a bill that contains more energy production with scores of unrelated items, including tax hikes and taxpayer-funded pork.

• As House Democrats huddle today to determine their next move against a real vote on lower fuel costs, Americans are right to be skeptical.  After all, the Speaker has derailed the FY 2009 appropriations process in order to avoid a vote on the GOP’s “all of the above” energy plan, used parliamentary trickery to avoid Republican amendments to bolster American energy production, and blocked consideration of the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), the House Republicans’ comprehensive bill to increase production of American energy, promote more conservation and efficiency, and encourage the use of more alternative and renewable fuels. 

Download Print Version

August 12, 2008

When asked last night by CNN host Larry King if she would call Congress back into session to address the energy crisis, Speaker Pelosi said, in part, “[T]hey have this thing that says, drill offshore in the protected areas.  Well we can do that.  We can have a vote on that.” 

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) responded this morning and urged the Speaker to call Congress back into session for a vote right now:

“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.

“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.”

Download Print Version

 

August 6, 2008

This morning, former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) joined the House GOP’s ongoing national protest over the decision by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to adjourn the House without a vote on legislation to lower gas prices and increase American energy production.

Download Print Version

 

August 5, 2008

House Republicans are poised for day three of their historic nationwide protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) decision to adjourn the House for the rest of the summer without a vote on legislation to increase American energy production and lower gas prices. 

In a story titled “Republicans Invite Tourists to Fill House Chamber Over Energy Bill,” Cox News Service highlights day two of the protest:

“The Republicans want Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to call the House back into session from its five-week August break to vote on a bill that includes provisions for more domestic oil drilling.”

“With a cut-off of microphones and C-SPAN cameras, which are controlled by the majority, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., told the tourists that filled the visitor galleries and the empty benches of the House floor that they were the ‘eyes and ears of the nation.’”

“Congress should be in session and voting ‘on the most important issue of the day — and that's the rising gas prices,’ said Price.”

Democratic leaders not only continue to block a vote on the House GOP’s “all of the above” plan to reduce gas prices – a vote the American people strongly support in poll after poll – but they have refused to offer meaningful solutions of their own to help reduce the price at the pump.  The ongoing floor revolt is proof that neither House Republicans nor the American people will rest until Democratic leaders given them an up-or-down vote on more American energy and lower gas prices.    

Download Print Version

August 4, 2008

House Republicans returned to the U.S. Capitol today and resumed the historic protest that began spontaneously Friday, when dozens of House Republicans refused to leave the House floor and joined hundreds of American citizens to protest Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) decision to adjourn the House for the rest of the summer without a vote on legislation to increase American energy production and lower gas prices. 

• House GOP leaders issued an urgent memo to colleagues over the weekend entitled “A Call to Arms on American Energy,” encouraging House Republicans to return to Washington to help Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), Tom Price (R-GA), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), and others keep the peaceful insurrection going, and dozens of House Republicans answered the call. 

• Members participating in today’s protest include Reps. Gresham Barrett (SC), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Tom Cole (OK), Michael Conaway (TX), John Culberson (TX), Phil Gingrey (GA), Louie Gohmert (TX), Jeb Hensarling (TX), Wally Herger (CA), Duncan Hunter (CA), Jim Jordan (OH), Mark Kirk (IL), Steve King (IA), John Kline (MN), Ron Lewis (KY), Don Manzullo (IL), Marilyn Musgrave (CO), Mike Pence (IN), Tom Price (GA), Peter Roskam (IL), Mike Turner (OH), Tim Walberg (MI), Lynn Westmoreland (GA), Rob Wittman (VA), and Frank Wolf (VA).  More Republicans were back in their home districts today, holding Townhall meetings and events to make the case for lower gas prices as well.  House Republican Leader John Boehner’s (R-OH) GOP Leader Blog followed today’s historic events live at http://republicanleader.house.gov/Blog. 

• As House Republicans stand side-by-side with the American people in demanding more American-made energy, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) continued to make excuses on ABC News’ This Week with George Stephanopoulos for blocking a vote on lower gas prices even as families across America are being pummeled at the pump each and every day.  The ongoing floor revolt is proof that neither House Republicans nor the American people will rest until Democratic leaders given them an up-or-down vote on more American energy and lower gas prices. 

 

July 31, 2008

Thumbing their nose at the American people, Democratic leaders yesterday voted to adjourn the House for five weeks until September 8 without an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), comprehensive legislation to help lower gasoline prices by increasing production of American energy, encouraging conservation and efficiency, and promoting alternative fuels.

• The Democratic Majority delivered the ultimate insult to the solid majority of Americans and a bipartisan majority in Congress who want an up-or-down vote on more American-made energy.

• Instead of listening to the American people, Speaker Pelosi and Senators Reid and Obama bowed to their allies at radical special interest groups like the Sierra Club, which has plainly stated that America is ‘better off without cheap gas’ and is running ads in support of their freshman Democratic members.

• Even in Speaker Pelosi’s home state, according to a San Francisco Chronicle story this morning, a majority of Californians support responsible drilling:  “A majority of Californians favor more oil drilling off the coast, according to a statewide survey released Wednesday … The support by 51 percent of residents polled this month by the Public Policy Institute of California represents a shift caused by renewed Republican advocacy for drilling as well as motorists' reaction to soaring pump prices, according to the pollster.”

• The American people want a vote on more American energy; they want lower gas prices; and they won’t stop until they get it – even if out-of-touch Democratic leaders and their ‘Drill-Nothing Congress’ continue to defy their will.

 

Download Print Version

July 30, 2008

House Republicans held a press conference this morning to demand a vote on the American Energy Act, comprehensive legislation to increase production of American energy, encourage conservation and efficiency, and promote alternative fuels.

• Democratic leaders – such as Speaker Pelosi, Senators Reid and Obama, and the rest of their ‘Drill-Nothing Congress’ – are expected to adjourn and skip town without an up-or-down vote to lower gas prices, but Republicans will hold them accountable if they do.

• In addition, Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Education & Labor Committee Senior Republican Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today launched an online survey to collect input from school officials, teachers, and parents impacted by surging prices for gasoline and other energy costs.

• Housed on the Education & Labor Committee’s Republican website, at http://republicans.edlabor.house.gov/energysurvey.shtml, this initiative will gather information and stories from school officials, teachers, families, and communities to further illustrate the consequences of the Democratic Congress’ current inaction on energy reform.

Download Print Version

July 29, 2008

This is a defining week for Democratic leaders in charge of this Congress.  Republicans are making clear that Democratic leaders should not adjourn the Congress and take a vacation without an up-or-down vote to lower gas prices. Republicans are demanding a vote.

• Last week House Republicans unveiled the American Energy Act, a comprehensive plan that increases production of American energy, encourages conservation & efficiency, and promotes alternative fuels.  A bipartisan majority in Congress supports the GOP plan, but Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama are blocking a vote.  They are blocking a vote because they know it would pass.
  
  
• Republicans support more American-made energy to help lower gas prices, and the American people support our efforts.  America has the resources right here at home to help bring down gas prices for families and small businesses.  All we're asking for from Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama is an up-or-down vote to lower gas prices.

Download Print Version

July 25, 2008

A noteworthy Washington Post editorial this morning which highlighted the fact that “Speaker Pelosi won't let the House debate the merits of offshore drilling.”  Here’s just a few excerpts from the editorial:

“Why not have a vote on offshore drilling? There’s a serious debate to be had over whether Congress should lift the ban on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf that has been in place since 1981. Unfortunately, you won't be hearing it in the House of Representatives -- certainly, you won't find lawmakers voting on it -- anytime soon.”

“Instead of dealing with the issue on the merits, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a staunch opponent of offshore drilling, has simply decreed that she will not allow a drilling vote to take place on the House floor.”

“When they took the majority, House Democrats proclaimed that ‘bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants the Minority the right to offer its alternatives.’ Why not on drilling? … “[W]hy are they so worried about letting it come to a vote?

This week, House Republicans introduced the American Energy Act to increase American-made energy and help lower gas prices, and a solid majority of the American people and a bipartisan majority in Congress support it.  The measure encourages more conservation and efficiency, promotes the use of alternative fuels, and increases environmentally-responsible production of American energy – all to help bring down the price at the pump for families and small businesses.

It is time for Speaker Pelosi and Senators Reid and Obama to stop blocking an up-or-down vote to help lower gas prices.  Congress should not leave for the August recess without giving the American Energy Act the vote it deserves.

Download Print Version

July 24, 2008

With just days remaining before a five-week August recess, Democratic leaders are irresponsibly putting another bill on the House floor masquerading as a real energy plan.  The American people know better. 

• They support new American-made energy to help lower gas prices, but this bill does not offer a single drop of new American oil or gas.  It’s little more than a three-and-a-half day ‘solution’ to a year-round problem for American families and small businesses – not to mention another ploy by the Democratic leadership to run out the clock and avoid a real vote on more American energy and lower gas prices.

• Yesterday, House Republicans introduced the American Energy Act to increase American-made energy and help lower gas prices, and a solid majority of the American people and a bipartisan majority in Congress support it.  The measure encourages more conservation and efficiency, promotes the use of alternative fuels, and increases environmentally-responsible production of American energy – all to help bring down the price at the pump for families and small businesses. 

• It is time for Speaker Pelosi and Senators Reid and Obama to stop blocking an up-or-down vote to help lower gas prices.  Congress should not leave for the August recess without giving the American Energy Act the vote it deserves.

 

July 23, 2008

• House Republicans have transformed their “all-of-the-above” energy strategy into a single piece of legislation: the American Energy Act, which will be introduced today at a rally on the West Front Steps of the U.S. Capitol. 

• The bill – a product made possible by energy policies proposed by Members throughout the House Republican Conference – will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. 
  
  
• While Democratic leaders continue to block a vote on any meaningful solutions to help lower energy costs, it’s clear that bipartisan passage of the American Energy Act would demonstrate to the world that America will no longer keep its rich energy resources under lock-and-key.  Not only will it help bring down the price of gasoline now, but it will make needed investments in the alternative fuels that will power our lives and our economy in the future.
  

 Download Print Version

 

July 22, 2008

Today, 11 House Republicans return to Capitol Hill after wrapping up the American Energy Tour in Colorado and Alaska, which highlighted the importance of the House GOP “all of the above” strategy to increase American energy production and lower gas prices.

• In Colorado, Republicans saw cutting-edge solar, wind, fuel cell, biomass, and other emerging technologies to help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.  In Alaska, they learned that wildlife and environmentally safe energy production successfully coexist in the region.
  
  
• What’s more clear than ever before is that the American people want action, and right now only Democratic leaders are standing in the way of lower gas prices.  In fact, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made it clear last week that House Democratic leaders will continue to defy the will of the American people and a bipartisan majority in Congress by refusing to schedule votes on meaningful legislation to increase American energy production.  Last Thursday, the Speaker told CNN flatly that, “I have no plans to do so.”
  
  
• A strong majority of Americans strongly support GOP solutions on gas prices, and Republicans are committed to helping struggling families and small businesses by using every option at our disposal to force votes on our plan.

 

July 16, 2008

How hostile are Democratic leaders toward increased energy supplies?  So hostile that today, they have scheduled a vote on a bill that will actually stop a critical supply of energy that could help reduce home heating costs in the Northeast. 

• The Majority is bringing to the floor today H.R. 415, a measure to designate Massachusetts’ Taunton River a federally-recognized “wild and scenic river.”  But it is neither wild nor scenic.  So what’s the real reason for this designation?  The bill – authored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), whose district houses part of the river – would stop the planned construction of a liquefied natural gas facility that would increase energy supplies to residents of the Northeast. 

• That’s right: one of the House’s most senior and powerful Democrats is slamming the breaks on a facility that would increase energy production to help lower home heating costs for countless families and seniors in New England.  Now that’s hostile!

• Here what a recent editorial from the Wall Street Journal said:  “Mr. Frank’s real agenda can be spied on the right-hand shore in this picture.  This is the proposed site of a terminal for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).  The terminal would be located right about where those five white storage tanks are at the top of the picture – hardly untrammeled wilderness.  The Congressman, whose district includes part of Fall River and the Taunton River, has long opposed the LNG port.” – “Mr. Frank’s Wild River,” Wall Street Journal editorial, 7/9/08

Download Print Version

July 15, 2008

• Today Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) filed a discharge petition aimed at forcing Democrat leaders to schedule a vote on the Fuel Mandate Reduction Act (H.R. 2493), legislation authored by Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) to reduce the price of gasoline by removing fuel blend requirements and government mandates that contribute to high gas prices
  
  
• The current gasoline supply includes specially formulated fuels, which are required by law in certain communities.  When supplies of one or more of these special blends are limited, prices rise quickly, intensifying consumers’ pain at the pump.  By simplifying the U.S. fuel supply mix, the Fuel Mandate Reduction Act would make more fuel supplies available to communities and help reduce gas prices.


• If rank-and-file Democrats are truly concerned about reducing the price of gasoline on behalf of American consumers, they will sign Rep. Drake’s petition to force Speaker Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Hoyer (D-MD), and their colleagues in the Democratic leadership to bring this common sense legislation to the floor.

• With August recess rapidly approaching, Members on both sides of the aisle must begin speaking with one voice: we should not leave town without giving the American people the energy reforms to lower gas prices they expect and deserve

Download Print Version

July 14, 2008

• Today President Bush announced that he will lift the presidential ban on the exploration of oil and gas in the Outer Continental Shelf.
  
  
• Only Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues in the Democratic leadership stand in the way of responsible deepwater oil and gas exploration to help reduce gas prices.
  
  
• Republicans stand ready to work with the Democratic Majority to bring an end to this outdated ban so we can reduce our nation’s costly dependence on foreign sources of energy, empower states and localities to make decisions regarding energy exploration, and create thousands of good-paying jobs here at home.
  
  
• Lifting the ban is a key part of the House Republicans’ ‘all of the above’ energy plan to lower fuel costs.  Enacting this plan, which would increase production of American energy, improve energy efficiency and conservation, and encourage investment in groundbreaking research in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies, will signal to the rest of the world that America will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring down fuel costs. 
  
  
• It is time for the Democratic leadership to heed the American people’s calls by lifting the ban on deep ocean energy exploration and allowing a vote on the GOP’s ‘all of the above’ plan to help lower gas prices.

Download Print Version

July 10, 2008

• House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today announced that he and 10 of his House GOP colleagues will travel to Colorado and Alaska next week to highlight meaningful solutions to help reduce gas prices and break America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy.  

• The GOP delegation will tour the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado and Alaska’s remote North Slope.  The two stops reflect the “all of the above” energy plan promoted by House Republicans to combat high gas prices – a plan that increases production of American energy, encourages more conservation and efficiency, and promotes the use of alternative fuels. 

• Policies not widely embraced when gasoline was $2 per gallon – such as oil exploration on a tiny patch of Alaska’s vast North Slope – now enjoy the American people’s overwhelming support in the face of $4 per gallon gas.  That is why House Republicans are heading to the Arctic Coastal Plain: to learn about the abundance of American energy held hostage below the tundra by the Democrats in charge of Congress, and to promote the environmentally-safe exploration of those resources on behalf of families and small businesses alike. 

• At the same time, the future of American energy is in alternative and renewable fuels, which is why America must encourage new and emerging technologies, such as those developed at the renewable energy lab the GOP delegation will tour outside of Denver.

Download Print Version

July 9, 2008

• Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) filed a discharge petition today on the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Act (H.R. 2208), legislation authored by introduced by Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL) and Rick Boucher (D-VA) to help reduce the price of gasoline by encouraging the use of clean coal-to-liquid technology.

• This discharge petition is the fourth of seven that House Republicans will offer on legislation to help bring down the cost of gas by increasing American energy production this summer. Each week, as Democrats sit by and watch the price of gasoline skyrocket, House Republicans are offering solutions to bring down the price of gasoline.

• On his discharge petition today, Rep. Roskam said this:  “So as we move forward it is my hope that Democrats will sign this discharge petition, that they’ll shake up their leadership, that they’ll not be just following Speaker Pelosi’s brake lights right off the cliffs in the fog of San Francisco, but that they’ll stand up for their own districts and do the right thing and shake off the shackles of leadership that has just decided to put its head in the sand.”

• Pressure is building on Democratic leaders – pressure from House Republicans, from an increasing number of rank-and-file Democrats in both the House and the Senate, and from the American people, who overwhelmingly favor more American energy production.  How much longer will it take for the Democrats in charge of Congress to realize that they alone are standing in the way of even more American energy supply – and even lower gas prices – by blocking the House GOP’s “all of the above” energy plan?

Download Print Version

 

July 8, 2008

According to media reports today, Democratic leaders – who vowed to address meaningful energy legislation after the Fourth of July recess – have “scrubbed the floor schedule of the energy legislation.”

Democratic leaders pulled a bill (H.R. 415) from House floor consideration to designate the Taunton River in Massachusetts – which is lined with industrial facilities – as “wild and scenic.” House Republicans rightly pointed out that the bill is expressly designed to block construction of a liquefied natural gas plant in Fall River and would undermine efforts to help lower energy costs for millions of Americans in the region.

A Democratic aide admitted their plan on gas prices is to: “Drive small cars and wait for the wind.”

While the national average price for a gallon of gas has risen to $4.11 under the Democrats’ watch, House Republicans will continue to fight for our “all of the above” energy reform plan that will increase the supply of American-made energy and help lower gas prices for struggling families and small businesses

Download Print Version

June 26, 2008

Today House Democrats seem willing to leave town without taking any meaningful action to help families and small businesses struggling with skyrocketing gas prices.  

Democratic leaders have scheduled votes on three no-energy measures that do nothing to increase American energy production, reduce gas prices, or secure our energy future.  Simply put, this is an insult to the American people who want more American energy, as poll after poll continues to demonstrate. 

Republicans have made it clear that Congress should not leave town without voting on meaningful solutions to increase American energy production and help lower gas prices. 

It’s time for Democratic leaders to end their sham votes on “no energy” bills and agree to work with Republicans to help bring the American people the lower gas prices they deserve. 

Download Print Version

June 25, 2008

With three legislative days remaining this week, Congress should not leave town for the Independence Day break without voting on meaningful energy solutions to increase American energy and help bring down gas prices, but that’s exactly what Democrats plan to do.  

• Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues plan to hold a news conference on the Democrats’ “efforts to lower gas prices” today but the Speaker’s plans have completely imploded.  None of the four bills Democratic leaders had planned to vote on this week would increase production of American energy to help lower gas prices – even though more energy production is exactly what the American people want, according to poll after poll. 
  
• Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that Democrats are “maneuvering to block Republican attempts to expand offshore drilling, an idea gaining in popularity amid $4-a-gallon gas prices.” 
  
  
• House Republicans have introduced an “all of the above” energy plan that would increase production of American energy, encourage more conservation and efficiency, and promote the use of alternative fuels, and we will continue to fight every day on behalf of struggling families and small businesses.
  
  Download Print Version

June 24, 2008

• Congress should not leave town for the Independence Day break without voting on energy reforms that will actually lower gas prices and increase production of American energy.
  
  
• Problems with the Democrat Anti-Price Gouging Bill H.R. 6346:
  
  
  • The FTC—despite numerous investigations—has never found evidence of collusive price fixing or “gouging” behavior. Even so, the FTC has existing authority to go after collusive price fixing under current antitrust law.
    
    
  • This bill does nothing to directly address high gasoline prices. We need to address high prices of motor and home heating fuels, but this legislation will have the opposite effect. We can only help consumers by increasing supply through increased refinery capacity and increased domestic production.
    
    Download Print Version

June 23, 2008

• With just one week left before the July 4 break, the Democrat Congress seems willing to leave town without doing anything to answer the challenge of $4 gas and schedule for the House floor meaningful solutions to increase the supply of American-made energy and lower gas prices.

• Americans are paying, on average, $1.74 more for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline than they were on the day Nancy Pelosi became Speaker, a painful Pelosi Premium that continues to impact families, small businesses, and every sector of the American economy.

• Last week Democratic leaders had time to schedule legislation on the interstate sale of monkeys, but they apparently didn't have time to listen to the large majority of Americans who support more U.S. energy production.  A new Fox News poll shows that 76 percent of Americans support immediate efforts to drill more in the United States in order to boost American energy production and help lower record prices - just the latest poll showing that a clear majority of the American people support Republican energy reforms.

 

June 20, 2008

• House Republicans have put forth an “all of the above” energy plan to lower prices at the pump by promoting increased and environmentally sound American exploration of oil and gas, improving energy efficiency and conservation, and encouraging investment in groundbreaking research in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies.

• A recently released Reuters/Zogby poll confirms that a majority of Americans (60 percent) support a key component of the GOP plan – producing more American-made energy – which is consistent with other surveys as well.

• At the same time, House Democrats are hinting at what could be their “commonsense” plan – nationalizing America’s oil refineries.  Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) actually said: “I think that’s a good idea.”  Just two weeks ago Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) echoed those remarks when she said the federal government should just take over all oil companies. 

• The one thing both plans have in common:  they will do nothing to help lower gas prices for struggling families and small businesses.

 

June 19, 2008

June 12, 2008

•	Democrats are inventing false arguments again.
•	“Use it or Lose it” is already the law.
•	Prior to 1992, the lease term was 5 years; the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (under a Democrat House) modified it to 10 years.
•	For Federal offshore oil and gas leases, an oil company must produce energy between 5 to 10 years (in the government’s discretion). This is from the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. (Source: 43 U.S.C. 1337(b)).
•	Democrats are effectively arguing that we should pull leases away from oil companies before they receive permission to drill.
•	Most of the drilling on Federal leases has been for natural gas, and natural gas production was up – way up, last year, and so was demand.
•	In fact, industry is producing more gas under these leases but they cannot keep up with demand because Democrats and their radical environmental allies will not allow the leasing of new areas.
•	97 percent of Federal offshore areas are not leased.
•	94 percent of Federal onshore areas are not leased.

June 10, 2008

•	“Do-Nothing” Democrat leadership continues to sit on the sidelines as gas prices soar higher
•	Average retail gas prices hit an all-time record high over the weekend of $4 per gallon of regular unleaded, according to AAA
•	Average prices have gone up over $1.65 since the beginning of the 110th Congress – this represents a nearly 71 percent increase during Nancy Pelosi’s speakership

House Republicans have a plan that will increase the production of American-made energy in an environmentally-safe way. This includes the exploration of next generation oil, natural gas, and coal and the production of advanced alternative fuels like cellulosic and clean coal-to-liquids – all while protecting our natural resources for future generations.

June 9, 2008
Increasing the Production of American-Made Energy in an Environmentally-Safe Way