House GOP leaders vow to hold protest session all week
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/05/06/thecapitol.jpg caption="House Republicans plan to hold protest sessions to pressure Nancy Pelosi to hold votes on offshore drilling."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - A group of House Republicans stayed in session and continued energy speeches Monday despite the summer adjournment in hopes of pressuring Democrats for a vote on oil drilling.
The speeches, a mix of democratic defiance and political showmanship, were part of a plan to pressure House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, to hold votes on offshore drilling, nuclear power and other GOP energy proposals.
Republicans refused to leave the House floor on Friday and began five hours of speeches protesting against Democratic energy policies immediately after the House of Representatives adjourned for its annual five-week break.
Listen: House GOP ask for the 'opportunity to vote'
The speeches picked up again Monday morning, and Republicans have pledged to keep up the effort.
"We'll continue at least this week," said Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia. "Then we'll see what we know."
Price said 24 congressmen returned to the Capitol for Monday's session.
Listen: Price pushes for an offshore drilling vote
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, said that 40 Republican members are committed to rotate in shifts throughout the week. Asked how long they'll be there, he said, "We'll be here as long as we can."
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I am disgruntled at the Democrats in congress, Nancy Pelosi wants to save the world, give me a break! The make-up she piles on her face is a derivative of the oil she opposes. I will do my part by voting every Democrat that I can out of office from now on. I have been a Democrat for twenty years, as Ronald Reagan said, "I did not leave the Democratic party, they left me." That's exactly why he changed to a Republican, and those sentiments are mine today! Have a good vacation Ms. Pelosi and Reid, and all of the other Democratic puppets…
the republicans are trying to make the most of this drilling issue.
The Repooplicans don't want gas prices lowered if they think they can blame to democrats for the high prices.
This is why Bush refuses to release Oil from the Reserve(like he's done in the past)
Check your tire pressure, drive slower and conserve every way you can.
Tell the republicans and their Big Oil friends to keep their filthy oil!!
It takes a while to get oil out of the ground. First we need to know where the oil deposits are. We then need to build the offshore platforms so that the crude oil can be processed before it is moved onshore. So there will not be immediate oil production after the ban on offshore drilling is lifted.
According to a 2007 report by the Energy Information Administration in the U.S. Department of Energy, opening up oil exploration off the United States coastline would not have a "significant impact" until 2030 because of the delay in starting a project. Leasing would begin no sooner than 2012, and production would not be expected to start before 2017. Thus, people can forget about offshore drilling bringing down the price of oil anytime soon.
Let the Republicans stay, they haven't done crap that works for us anyways.
Would the media show up if the Democrats did this? Not for more than one day.
They are only standing in their hall. They should be holding placarts in the streets: may be they will get more attention. RIght now, I am dont care. I will like to see them picketing the president who spent billions a month in Iraq, with the understanding that we would secure the oil fields. And now what do we get? Not even a drop.
How many more do we need to kill in iraq to get more oil rather than engage in clean energy?
Republicans just want more oil to sell on the international market, then rub our nose with the highest windfall profits in the world.
No thanks Mr. Mcain.
I am laughing at all of you . August 4th, 2008 3:01 pm ET
apparently one thing none of you understand is that the percentage increase in gas prices significantly increased when the dems got hold of congress and blocked all initiatives.
until democrats decide to start looking at the facts and understanding world economies this country is doomed…
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So the utter lack of any reasonable energy policy for the first 7 years of the Bush Presidency has nothing to do with the price of oil, its all because of the Dems being in the majority for the past 18 months. What a crock!
Where did you get you advanced degree in economics. I suspect nowhere! I am right, aren't I ..... and laughing ....... at YOU!
Protest for what? NEW LEADERSHIP IN OUR GOVERNMENT!
...nice...I'll get out my violin...
Why do the anti-Obama crowd spew out unsubstantiated stuff as facts?
The articles I have read all say that oil on the Outer Shelf would not hit your car for 7 to 10 YEARS. Would that be useful? Maybe. But it seems more like a land grab by the oil companies...maybe not for now but for their last dying gasp in the future when the whole planet runs out.
Bush lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling did not bring down the pump price of gasoline. Americans driving 9% fewer miles in June than one year before is what did it. Remember that supply and demand thing you guys keep pushing? Do you believe that Bush has any more influence on the world community? No one takes him seriously. And, by the way, the moratorium was not put in place by Clinton, it was signed by Bush Sr.
At least use facts.
This is comical. Its like little kids protesting their parents. I say
... NO VOTE. NO MORE DRILLING.
Those neo-cons are drinking the Cool Aide again. However, they're not fooling the true conservatives, liberals or independents of America! Come this November, when the Senate has the 60 votes to over ride these neo-cons in the Senate so they can't do anymore of their grand standing or filerbustering, you'll see things get done. Keep playing politics you selfish thugs, you're days are numbered too.
Alright!!!!! A women in control (nancy pelosi) and all the repub men are whining!!!! It's so funny!
How stupid people keep saying where were they the last eight years.. learn to count. The last year and a half the Dems. have been in power and have done nothing except let gas prices go up and up. It was not that long ago the Dems told the middle east that they were the cause of the high oil prices because we needed more. Now the President wants to lift the band to drill for more they say thats not the problem. They may be right it might just be them that is the real problem. And as far as the first 6 years the Dems block everything they could.
Gee folks, we know how all of you really want to handle some pressing business but, it looks like we are all going to be SOL because the guys from across the aisle had to get home for a brain re-tooling (plus, they're out of drugs and booze).
Hmmm holding Protest. THE NEED TO BE WORRYING ABOUT HOLDING ON TO THEIR POSITIONS!!!! THE ELECTIONS ARE COMING THE ELECTIONS ARE COMING. AND THIS WILL BE THE WORST WEDDING DAY FOR THEM ALL!!!
People, Democrats have OWNED the house and senate for the past two years. Why do you keep blaming Republicans? Don't forget, for the first 4 years Republicans were busy dealing with 9-11 and terrorism and national security issues. Now they can focus on energy and other issues.
Even your prized possession Obama wants to open up offshore drilling. Man you Democrats can't make up your minds!!!
Well, if there were any question of the party that works for the people. It's the ones who are still in Washington.
Pelosi and Reid do not care about the pains we are feeling or they would be there working to make things better. They wonder why the polls are so low?????
All this time and this is the week they want to do something. Seems a little empty to me.
This is the most productive thing GOP senators have done in 8 years....Of course, let's not forget that the price at the pump in Calgary is over $5 per gallon and Alberta is the largest oil exporter in North America, and that by the time the oil, that isn't spilled in the ocean, is harvested, oil will be on it's way to obsolesence. But anything to get more profit for EXXON; the important thing is that the GOP needs someone to pay for these attack ads., and that their contributions have tripled since McCain reversed a life-long policy of opposing off shore drilling........Has anyone given an explanation as to why the oil companies are going to reduce the price at the pump when this oil becomes available.?...The sad thing is the "ditto-heads"are buying this arguement......intelligence is not a pre-requisite in the GOP....
Anyone mention The Dems dont have a veto proof majority.
For all you Bush bashers, do some research. Obama voted in favor of Bush's energy plan in 2005.