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Entries in Energy (63)

Thursday
Aug072008

Tire pumps & gas receipts: Republicans use their imaginations

"Pelosi challenged Republicans to use their imaginations. And they are," Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) said at a news conference held by House Republicans to discuss their party's ongoing floor speeches. He and others continued their call for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call an emergency session of Congress to address America's high energy costs. Sessions went on to pull out a large tire pump, stating that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (D-Ill.) suggested using the mechanism as a solution for America's energy problems. Sessions referred to a recent statement from Sen. Obama in which he stated that properly inflated tires and regular vehicle maintenance are important for maximizing fuel economy.

"This isn't a red problem. This isn't a blue problem. This is a red, white and blue problem," said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), after showing a photograph of a Texas woman carrying a small bag filled with gas station receipts. From his pocket, he then pulled a handful of receipts he gathered from members of his district, and vowed to send each to Speaker Pelosi's office.

Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said that when asking American citizens, who joined him on the House floor this afternoon, who they felt was OPEC's best friend at the moment, the crowd pointed to Pelosi's chair at the head of the room.
Thursday
Aug072008

Rep. Terry: "hot air" from democrats could heat our homes

"Animals are getting under the Alaska pipeline to keep warm!" Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said this afternoon in defense of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil drilling. Republicans joined Burton on the floor of the US House of Representatives today to continue their push for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call an emergency session of Congress.

Burton also expressed a sense of urgency for Americans to find energy independence. "If you think the Saudis are our friend, you've got another thing coming," he said. Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) echoed Burton's sentiments, also calling out proposed solutions from the Democrats as "hot air". "We could probably make ourselves energy independent right there," he said. "If we use the hot air from the Democrats to heat our homes."

In regards to Speaker Pelosi and her decision to call for a 5 week recess in light of sky-high fuel prices, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said, "I know she didn't mean to do this, but our Speaker is the best friend OPEC's got."
Thursday
Aug072008

Republicans and tourists: A History Lesson

As the talkathon on the House floor continues, Republicans addressed an unusual crowd compared to their Democratic opponents: Tourists in t-shirts and shorts coming from as far away as Texas.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) explained the historical parallel between the Republicans and the famous lawmakers portrayed on the walls above the House floor. Lawmakers like Napoleon made the right decisions when the time came, Barton said.

Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said Republicans are sending a letter to House Democrats interested in debating the offshore drilling ban. Democrats need to interrupt House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's book tour and begin debating, said Blunt.

"Our speaker is not showing tolerance," said Barton (R-Tx.). Barton said he has a "real problem" with Pelosi not letting the Democratic bill on offshore drilling come to the floor when other Democrats like Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) are willing to work with Republicans. Drilling on a 3 square mile area of Alaska would give us 11 billion barrels of oil, said Barton.

Barton pointed to the Daniel Webster quote etched on the wall above the House press gallery and read the words "let us develop our resources" out loud. He called for the United States to acknowledge that quote and drill on American soil.

Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said the energy crisis is only an annoyance for wealthy Americans, but it is a severe problem for the poor. 68 percent of oil drillers are small companies, and they need to continue to drill to survive, Bishop said.
Tuesday
Aug052008

McCain undoubtedly stronger on energy

The campaign for Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidency held a conference call to discuss McCain’s stance on energy policy compared to Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Doug Holtz-Eakin said McCain understands that anything and everything must be done to end the U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Holtz-Eakin said McCain’s energy plan is comprehensive, including domestic production of oil, more hybrid and electric transportation, and new nuclear power plants. In contrast, he said Obama says no to new exploration, new coal power, new nuclear power, and new explorations of domestic supplies. He said McCain is not afraid to “reach across the aisle” in energy policy, aiming to do whatever he can to provide Americans with more options.

Jerry Hruby, the McCain campaign’s Northeast Ohio chair and the mayor of Brecksville, Ohio, said McCain believes that every energy source needs to be part of the energy solution. Contrastingly, he said Obama seems to have a problem with every energy source. He said Obama is now merely struggling respond to McCain’s consistent leadership on energy issues.
Monday
Aug042008

GOP throws House party

A second day of speeches in the House Chamber continued as GOP members told Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call for a vote on the American Energy Act, the GOP's "all of the above" energy strategy.  Representatives repeatedly said that given the current energy costs faced by Americans, now is not the time for Congress to take a five-week paid vacation.  Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) said "I don't know how they think in the salons of San Francisco," a reference to Pelosi's district, adding that the people in the coffee shops of Dallas recognize America's energy crisis.

Hensarling, speaking to Capitol tourists seated in the House chamber, asked why Pelosi was unable to find time to debate energy in the past months.  He told those assembled that Congress found time to debate National Sanitation Week and other frivolous topics, ridiculing decisions made by Democratic leadership.  Hensarling said the people of America deserve a vote and gave Pelosi's Washington office phone number to those in attendance, telling people to call and voice their concern.

In a press statement, Pelosi called Republican actions a “hoax” that does not warrant serious debate. She said Republican proposals give public lands to oil companies and would only reduce prices at the pump by two cents in 10 years. In addition, her statement says that House Republicans have opposed requiring oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of land they already control. She also notes the GOP has blocked efforts to increase fuel efficiency standards, improve mass transit, and release oil from government reserves.

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) said presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama both support provisions in the American Energy Act, including offshore drilling. He said one person (Pelosi) should not work against the opinion of a majority of Americans.  Kirk referenced challenges previously faced in the House of Representatives including the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, and World War II, saying now is the time for Congress to take initiative and solve America's energy crisis.  He said Congress has come to a fork in the road concerning energy policy and, instead of debating which road to take, is refusing to debate a course of action at all.
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