Americans can’t afford democrats’ waiting-game

As national gas prices continue to increase, House Republicans held a news conference in response to the lack of a sufficient energy bill on the Hill. After having spent a week in their districts talking to constituents, speakers returned to Washington calling for legislation that would increase the domestic production of oil.

The importance of oil in the American economy was emphasized by Rep. John Carter (R-Texas). Carter said that an increase in gas prices will lead to an increase in production costs of all goods, an increase that would further stretch the wallets of the American consumer. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) added that gas prices are preventing middle class Americans from making an income and that continued high prices may cause many to experience severe financial struggles.

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) discussed the effect of high fuel costs in his district and stated that a comprehensive energy plan must be developed for the United States. Latta said that it is crucial that Congress form a strategy soon, saying that otherwise one will not be developed. Latta also said that waiting to react on the issue of high gas prices is “a luxury we cannot afford” and that drilling in the ANWR would benefit the United States.

Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) expressed excitement when asked about the presidential campaign, saying that differences between republican and democratic policies in Congress can finally be brought to the forefront of presidential debates. Blunt noted that in the past twelve years, 85 percent of republicans have voted to increase the domestic production of oil while 85 percent of democrats have opposed increased domestic production, waiting rather for alternative solutions. Blunt said that republicans have a larger understanding of rising oil prices and intelligent solutions to the issue.

Cheney echoes Bob Dole: McClellan a “miserable creature”

Vice President Dick Cheney criticized the press at the National Press Club when referring to the Pulitzer Prize won by the New York Times for a piece that divulged information pertaining to US security, an action that he deemed was “less than honorable.” When asked, Cheney said that the most difficult part of his jobs involves the press since his role as an adviser necessitates an ability to keep important information secret.

Cheney said that the surge of forces in Iraq has been “enormously successful” and added that no terror attack on the United States in seven years can be attributed to the United States’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vice president stated that a successful president must make unpopular decisions, comparing President George W. Bush’s actions to the difficult choices made by President Lincoln during the Civil War. Cheney said that invading Iraq and Afghanistan will be viewed positively in ten to fifteen years and that the suggestion that the Bush administration acted rashly is false.

Cheney said that oil prices would be a factor in the upcoming presidential elections. He said that the “era of oil” is not ending and that the United States needs to do more to increase domestic production of petroleum. Cheney criticized those who try to limit domestic production and added that a repeal of federal gas taxes would do little to alleviate high prices if supply is not increased. Cheney added that Senators John McCain and Barack Obama will make strategic decisions when choosing a running mate, ignoring the status of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

When prompted to comment on the release of a book by former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, the vice president laughed quietly and said that former Sen. Bob Dole’s (R-Kan.) condemnation of McClellan as a “miserable creature” was accurate. In addition, Cheney revealed that he is an eighth cousin Barack Obama and said he would not be opposed to a family reunion. When discussing his family’s history, Vice President Cheney said that he is descended from two different Cheney families and emphasized that his family was never from West Virginia, a comment that surprised the audience.

Today at Talk Radio News Service

The Washington Bureau will cover an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on "Accountability Lapses in Multiple Funds for Iraq," a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Hearing on "Retail Price of Gas and Competition in the Oil Industry," and a subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee on "The Border Security Challenge: Recent Developments and Legislative Proposals." A correspondent will also cover a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on "Seniors at Risk: Improving Medicare for Our Most Vulnerable." Later, the Washington Bureau will cover a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and House Financial Services Committee joint hearing on how the mortgage crisis afflicts neighborhoods, as well as a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on how to provide legal assistance to low-income Americans.

Pentagon Correspondent Meredith MacKenzie will attend a pen and pad briefing with the Senate Leadership, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), as well as a press conference with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Correspondent Dawn Jones will cover a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the nominations of Gen. David Petraeus "for reappointment to the grade of general and to be commander of the United States Central Command," and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno "for appointment to the grade of general and to be commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq."

Senate Republican leaders pray for Ted Kennedy, and claim that Democrats don’t put the troops first

At a media availability in the U.S. Capitol, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the Senate Republicans had a somber Policy Committee lunch, where they said a prayer for Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and his family. He then moved to address what is happening this week in the Senate, saying that the fundamental question is what to do about funds for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

McConnell said the Republican’s are concerned about securing the funds requested by the president. Budget Committee Ranking Member Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) said the Senate will be doing a budget resolution this week, but that the Democrats “have not shared any of the numbers with our side of the aisle,” which he says reflects poor taste. He said it is pretty apparent by both resolutions that passed in the House and the Senate that this resolution will have a massive tax increase for working Americans, and it will pass the mark of one trillion dollars in discretionary spending. He said he believes the American people had the right to expect that Congress can hold the line, but that “the other side of the aisle doesn’t believe in holding the line at all in spending.” He said the budget also makes no effort to “address the impending fiscal meltdown of this country as a result of the cost of entitlements,” and that it will pass down the current economic burdens to the next generation.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (R-Nev.) said the Democrats are not putting the troops first, and are loading up the supplemental bill with items inviting a veto. He also said Democrats are complaining about gas prices, and are blocking the U.S. from increasing its domestic supply. McConnell echoed that the U.S., as the third largest producer of oil and gas in the world, should produce more supply from American wells to bring down the price of oil. He also hopes for a compromise in crafting a bill for veteran’s benefits.

Senate urges pressure on Saudi Arabia to increase oil production

Five senators held a press conference today immediately following a vote on a Democratic proposal to “suspend filling the nearly full Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in order to increase supply and lower energy prices,” the official release said. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said that Saudi Arabia currently produces nearly two million barrels of oil per day below capacity, and said that prices would likely lower by 50 cents per gallon in the next month or two if they increased production by just one million barrels per day. Schumer said that himself and the other senators wanted to present President Bush with a “motion of disapproval” of the Saudi arms deal, and urge him to put pressure on the Saudis to increase productivity and lower prices as he leaves for his trip to the Middle East today. “We are saying to the Saudis that ‘if you don’t help us, why should we be helping you?’” Schumer said. “You need our arms, but we need you to cooperate and not strangle American consumers.”

Sen. Bernard Sanders (D-VT) said that OPEC functions as a cartel, and that it is time for Pres. Bush to say to OPEC that “we are going to challenge their very existence,” so they can no longer “limit production and artificially raise prices.” Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) said that Bush “needs to demonstrate leadership,” and while he is “talking to the Saudis about oil production as he should, he should have done it long ago.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said that she is “pleased” that the Senate was able to pass the amendment today, but she “would rather see a comprehensive package.” She added, “but if we’re going to have to do it one scrap at a time, that’s how we’ll do it.”