Republican Leader John Boehner | republicanleader.house.gov

MONDAY, NOV 17, 2008

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TUESDAY, NOV 18, 2008

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WEDNESDAY, NOV 19, 2008

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THURSDAY, NOV 20, 2008

The House may be in session at 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, NOV 21, 2008

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Leader Alert

New Polls Show Increasing Support for More American Energy Production to Lower Gas Prices
Out of Touch Democrats: 67 Percent Support Offshore Drilling, But Democratic Majority Continues to Defy Will of the American People

Washington, Jun 17 - Two new polls out today demonstrate just how much of an impact soaring gas prices are having on American families – and what Americans expect their leaders in Washington to do about it. The question is: are the Democrats in control of Congress listening? Based on this week’s House schedule – which doesn’t include a single measure to increase production of American energy to help bring down fuel costs – the answer is a very clear and resounding “NO.”

The absence of legislation to increase production of American energy is particularly troubling since Gallup recently announced that some 57 percent of Americans support more oil and gas exploration on U.S. lands and deep ocean energy zones. And today, Rasmussen Reports released a new poll showing that 67 percent of Americans support oil and gas exploration in deep ocean energy zones and expect it will lower prices, once again demonstrating just how out of touch the Democratic Majority really is. Here are the details:

“Most voters favor the resumption of offshore drilling in the United States and expect it to lower prices at the pump, even as John McCain has announced his support for states that want to explore for oil and gas off their coasts.”

“A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey – conducted before McCain announced his intentions on the issue – finds that 67% of voters believe that drilling should be allowed off the coasts of California, Florida and other states. Only 18% disagree and 15% are undecided…”

“Sixty-four percent (64%) of voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that gas prices will go down if offshore oil drilling is allowed.”

The price at the pump today is $4.08, according to AAA. That’s $1.75 higher than when Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) became Speaker. A new Gallup poll released today details just how much of a strain this $1.75 Pelosi Premium has become on Americans’ pocketbooks:

“[A] number of Americans indicate that the high price of gasoline has affected them in ways that stretch beyond just driving and direct, personal gas consumption. In response to the question about the impact of high gas prices, 11% of Americans say that the high price of gas has affected their overall standard of living up to the point where they have little or no disposable income or their budgets are being wrecked, 9% say they are ‘hurting financially,’ and others say they are having to cut back on spending on other things, they have less money to save, and that they are now aware that they are paying more for other products and services, including food.”

With families and small businesses feeling the pain of the Pelosi Premium each and every day, do congressional Democrats really want to ignore the will of the overwhelming majority of the American people who favor increased American energy production? Or will they finally acknowledge the only way to bring down the price of gasoline is through an “all of the above” plan that harnesses new technologies, encourages greater conservation and efficiency, and increases production of energy right here at home?

House Republicans have offered such an energy plan, and as House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said Sunday on CNN’s Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, “each and every day over the next five months leading up to this election Republicans are going to force the Congress to deal with this issue.” Just when will the Democratic Majority finally respect the will of the American people and remove roadblocks to increased production of energy here in the United States? Just when will congressional Democrats allow a vote on the House GOP’s comprehensive plan to lower gas prices and move America closer to energy independence?

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HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner