Wednesday
Jun112008
Republicans regret lack of progress on oil
At a pen and pad briefing, House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) discussed high-energy costs and unemployment insurance.
On the topic of oil, Blunt said that the failure to pursue what Republicans have wanted for years has led to the high prices seen now. He said that the Republicans have specific solutions to the oil crisis and expressed remorse that nothing has been done in the House to solve the problem.
When asked about the unemployment insurance bill, Blunt voiced his opposition. He said that the bill would allow employees who work for as little as two weeks to get up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits. Putnam said that the bill is unnecessary because there is a proven model in place that the Democrats want to break.
Also, when asked about Barack Obama’s nomination, Putnam said that the Democrats’ have a lot of patching up to do to achieve party unity.
On the topic of oil, Blunt said that the failure to pursue what Republicans have wanted for years has led to the high prices seen now. He said that the Republicans have specific solutions to the oil crisis and expressed remorse that nothing has been done in the House to solve the problem.
When asked about the unemployment insurance bill, Blunt voiced his opposition. He said that the bill would allow employees who work for as little as two weeks to get up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits. Putnam said that the bill is unnecessary because there is a proven model in place that the Democrats want to break.
Also, when asked about Barack Obama’s nomination, Putnam said that the Democrats’ have a lot of patching up to do to achieve party unity.
Republicans have "answers" to rising gas prices
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH.) said that the U.S. must produce more oil in an environmentally friendly way. He said that the Democrats who run the Senate are not allowing sensible bills to be brought to the floor. He said that Democratic Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-NY.) is taking partisan advantage in the Senate and it is making it impossible for Republicans to introduce legislation.
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tex.) said that the Republican Party is prepared to act on lower gas prices, with an understanding that the issue involves supply, demand, and conservation. He said that most Republican senators voted for higher fuel efficiency standards, which according to Alexander, is essential to lowering gas prices.