Hoyer: Democrats are for drilling

"Democrats are for drilling," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D- Md.) Hoyer explained that House Democrats agree with the public's desire to devote resources to oil drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), oil reserves in the continental United States, and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (not to be confused with Arctic National Wildlife Refuge--ANWR-- in Alaska.) Hoyer said that the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans arise from where to drill for more oil. "If there's a place to drill, let's drill," he said referencing acres of the OCS that have already been leased to oil companies. Democrats don't necessarily want to drill where Republicans want, he said.

Hoyer said that while the price of oil per barrel has gone down almost $30, the price at the pump has not gone down to where the pain is not felt by his constituents. Hoyer also suggested that drilling in ANWR was something that Republicans are enthusiastic about, but that oil companies may not be. "I don't know that oil companies have contacted me about ANWR, I don't know, maybe they are not interested in drilling there," Hoyer said.

Hoyer also implied that Republicans are simply paying "lip service" to the causes of renewable and alternative sources of energy, when he cited a quote from Maryland Republican Roscoe Bartlett who was quoted in the Politico as saying of Republicans, "They're giving lip service to [alternative energy]...The only thing they emphasize is drilling."

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.

Majority Leader Hoyer discusses Democrats victories, cohesiveness in weekly pen and pad

In his weekly pen and pad briefing, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer discussed the schedule for the week ahead in addition to the achievements that the House Democrats have accomplished this session. Hoyer stated that H.R. 6049 The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 will be on the floor Wednesday and Thursday and the S.Con.Res. 70 on the Conference Report on the Concurrent Budget Resolution for 2009 will pass in the House, the first time a report such as this has passed since 2000. In addition to these bills, H.R. 5658 The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 will finish with discussion on Friday.

Hoyer also discussed the trip that 7 to 8 senior House Democratic leadership members led by Speaker Pelosi took over the weekend to Israel and Iraq. The delegation meant with the Prime Minister of Iraq in addition to Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus. Among the many issues discussed was how to handle the detainees being held. While meeting with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, a positive view of progress was presented and Hoyer described the trip as a useful visit. Hoyer went on to say that 64% of Americans disagree with policy in Iraq and 26% of the Republican party disapproves with the policies in Iraq.

The trip to Israel was to acknowledge Israel's 60 years as a state and the delegation met with the President, Defense Minister, Speaker, and members of the Parliament. The newly elected speaker is the first woman to hold the position and Hoyer added that this was a historic meeting as it was with the first female Speaker of the U.S., Pelosi, and the first female Speaker of Israel. Hoyer said that the message of the trip was to state that the U.S. is a supporter of Israel and to recognize that Israel remains an "island of democracy in a sea of authoritarian governments."

Hoyer also touched on the victories in the special elections that the democrats have been gaining. The Democratic party won three elections in districts that voted for Bush and had incumbent Republican representatives. Hoyer stated, "Republicans continue to offer gamesmanship as opposed to substantive policy."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Addresses Media Following Republican Walk Out

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) addressed the media following a walkout of the House staged by Republican Representatives this afternoon, regarding the democrats’ lack of urgency to pass the soon to be expired FISA bill.

Pelosi alleged that the “urgency” Bush stressed in his speech regarding FISA this afternoon, was not as pressing as the President made it seem.

Also, Pelosi noted that Bush “manipulated the facts” with FISA and that the democrats were trying hard to get a bill passed. She stressed her hope that a bi-partisan agreement could be reached as soon as possible.

Super Tuesday Colorado Coverage-- a few photos

Welcome to the Centennial State and our earliest caucus ever!


Supplies for the Caucus


A Mama for Obama!


The Boulder County Democratic Headquarters