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.

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.