Congressman Platts Continues Push for a Comprehensive National Energy Policy

York, PA – U.S. Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) will be returning to the floor of the United States House of Representatives today to speak about gas prices and the energy issue.  This will be the fourth time that Congressman Platts has participated in the protest on the House floor against adjourning during the month of August.

In late July, the House voted 213-212 to permit Congress to adjourn without first considering legislation to allow more domestic energy exploration.  A subsequent motion to adjourn went further, shutting off the microphones and cameras instead of allowing “special order” speeches to be broadcast highlighting the energy issue.  More than 40 Members of the House opposed to the adjournment, including Congressman Todd Platts, stayed on the House floor on August 1st and spoke to visitors in the House gallery about the energy issue.  In the days and weeks since, dozens of Members of Congress—including Congressman Platts—have been taking turns speaking about energy issues on the House floor to visitors from all across the Nation.

In his speeches and a recent op-ed, Congressman Platts has been advocating an “all-of-the-above” energy plan that includes greater conservation initiatives, the long-term development of alternative energy supplies, and accessing our nation’s own oil and natural gas resources.  Congressman Platts is a cosponsor of a number of bills to permit more domestic energy exploration (H.R. 3089, H.R. 6107, H.R. 6709).  He has also been the lead Republican cosponsor of bills to increase fuel efficiency standards for new cars (H.R. 1506) and to establish renewable energy standards for electricity producers (H.R. 969).