Republicans Want Congress Returned

KTIC 840 Rural Radio - Nebraska

August 05, 2008

Monday, Indiana Representative Mike Pence lead a small group of Republican Representatives on the floor of the House as they resumed their demand that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi call the House back into session. Pence said - what you are about to witness is the beginning of a sustained effort to demand that Speaker Pelosi bring this Congress back to Washington, D.C., and give us an up or down vote on an energy bill that includes more access to American oil. Republicans began the effort midday Friday after Congress had shut down for the month.

On Sunday, Minority Leader John Boehner (bay-ner) of Ohio and Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri issued a joint statement announcing plans to continue to monopolize the idle floor. About 25 GOP members were expected to take part Monday. Leaders were scheduled to return to Washington on a rotation during the week.

Pelosi’s office issued a statement Monday, making the case that House Republicans have refused to support a number of Democratic initiatives - to bring down energy costs, promote renewable fuels and energy efficiency and to promote oil production right here in America.

kticam.com

House Adjourns, Republicans Speak Out

KTIC 840 Rural Radio - Nebraska

August 04, 2008

The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned Friday for a five-week summer recess without passing legislation to lower gas prices. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and most other Democrats oppose GOP efforts to drill in the Alaska refuge or end the offshore drilling ban. They say tens of millions of acres of federal land and ocean floor are already open to drilling - and have proposed legislation to force oil and gas companies to explore their existing leased areas or give them up.

After the final gavel fell - a small group of Republicans took to the floor to attack Democrats. Texas Representative Ted Poe shouted - “Madame Speaker, Where art thou? He continued - this room is vacant of most members of Congress. Where, oh where, has Congress gone?"

Republicans want Speaker Pelosi to call the House back into session to vote on the GOP’s energy plan - which calls for lifting a long-standing ban on drilling off the east and west coasts, drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and more conservation and research on alternative energy sources.

kticam.com