Dems to America: "Real Bi-partisan Energy Reform ... Nah!"

We ran across this in another blog, but since folks in Indianapolis will never read this story in the local cage-liner, we thought in the public interest we'd re-post it here ...

North Carolina Congressman on Burton Energy Compromise

Congressman Burton was a key part of an Energy Compromise bill that earned over 150 supporters. North Carolina Congressman Robin Hayes talked about the bill in a recent story from the Stanly News and Press.

Here's a key part of the article about the bill Dan supported:

In an effort to amend this bill, the Minority called for a vote on the Comprehensive, Environmentally Responsible Energy Plan for America, which Hayes was an original sponsor, and he voted to support this evening.

This bipartisan bill, led by U.S. Representatives Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), John Peterson (R-Pa.), Jim Costa (D- Calif.) and Dan Burton (R-Ind.), is a true comprehensive energy solution for America.

This legislation provides the first stable, designated funding source for the development of alternative fuels, renewable energy and environmental restoration by allocating the estimated $2.6 trillion in oil royalties from oil and gas production in the Outer Continental Shelf.

In addition, this bill seeks to combine responsible, targeted increases in domestic oil and gas production with an intensified effort to move vehicles to nonpetroleum alternatives and a strong federal conservation and energy efficiency commitment.

Even though the Comprehensive, Environmentally Responsible Energy Plan for America had more than 150 cosponsors — Democrats and Republicans alike — it failed by a recorded vote of 191-226.

H/T: TBB

Pelosi to America: "We Will Drill" (Well, we'll at least consider it.)

Speaker Pelosi Caves to Public Pressure (almost.)

More likely, she's getting an earful from her Caucus and, while she's not going to lose her re-election, that Democratic Caucus will vote for Speaker in the next session of Congress.

Dateline: Somewhere on the Save the Planet World Tour in between book signings.

THE Christian Science Monitor reports that Speaker Pelosi has reversed herself and will allow a vote on limited off-shore drilling. (8/17 edition)

In a shift on Saturday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House will take up comprehensive energy legislation next month that includes partially lifting the 1981 ban on offshore drilling.

“It will consider opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, with appropriate safeguards, and without taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil,” she said in the weekly Democratic radio address on Saturday.

You can read the whole article here.

Good Afternoon, Mr & Mrs America, and all the Ships at Sea ...

Dateline: Washington. This just in.

House GOP Leader Boehner points out that Dem leaders in the House are beginning to feel the heat from American Registered Likely Voters on the whole energy vote thing and are scrambling to come up with something that will allow them to "look like their voting for something."

Boehner points out in a blog post the likely Dem strategy to get a meaningless vote and then walk off the field:

The Hill confirms that Speaker Pelosi’s latest rhetoric on oil and gas drilling “indicated that she’s made a tactical move, not an unconditional surrender.” In reality, she has no intention of providing Members on both sides of the aisle the opportunity to vote on meaningful legislation to increase production of American energy to help reduce gas prices. Rather, she and her Democratic colleagues are preparing to load up a potential bill with poison pills that will continue to deny the American people of the increased energy production they expect and deserve.

While the GOPers in the House continue their Guerrilla Congress this week in Washington, the Dems are "strategerizing" how to fleece the American people (and the big, evil oil companies) Boehner points out:

As House Democrats determine their next move against a real vote on lower fuel costs, Americans are right to be skeptical. After all, the Speaker has derailed the FY 2009 appropriations process in order to avoid a vote on the GOP’s “all of the above” energy plan, used parliamentary trickery to avoid Republican amendments to bolster American energy production, and blocked consideration of the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), the House Republicans’ comprehensive bill to increase production of American energy, promote more conservation and efficiency, and encourage the use of more alternative and renewable fuels.

Families and small businesses feeling the pain at the pump can be sure that the Speaker has more tricks up her sleeve to stop the production of more American energy.

How much longer, Madame Speaker? Americans will not wait until next year, not even next month. Do the right thing: Call Congress back for a single up or down vote on a freely debated, open rule, comprehensive energy bill.

GOP's Guerrilla Congress to Pelosi: "Hey, We're Still Here!"

The Battle of Ideas Continues! Meanwhile, Pelosi continues hawking "really bad" book.

Dateline: Washington. While Speaker Pelosi continues her "Save the Planet" world tour, hawking her critically panned new book and Michael Phelps continues his charge for 8 Olympic Golds - House GOPers continue on their relentless fight to move America toward Energy Independence.

House Republicans are once again gathering on the House floor to continue their fight for a vote on the American Energy Act. House Republicans and the overwhelming majority of the American People believe that Speaker Pelosi should cancel her book tour and immediately reconvene the House so that we can pass a bill to lower the cost of gasoline and energy.

This morning, at 11:00 a.m., House Republicans will continue to deliver their message directly to the American people on the House floor. So, if you happen to be in Washington today, drop by and be a part of the historic National discussion that the GOPers are engaging in.

H/T GOP Whip's floor assistant (What a hard-working guy ...)

Those Pesky Republicans

Dateline: Washington. This just in from the GOP Whip's floor assistant.

Republicans remain on the Floor, committed to fighting for lower energy costs.

As Democrats adjourned for a five-week vacation, 105 Republican Members, over half of our conference, have taken to the House floor to speak directly to the Americans visiting our nation’s Capitol. Thousands continue to cheer as House Republicans continue fighting for a vote to produce more American-made energy and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

What will it take for the Speaker to realize that she needs to allow a vote on increased American Production and help America’s families?

Not a single House Democrat has returned from vacation and Speaker Pelosi continues her book tour. (BTW, for those of you keeping track: Of 124 reviews on Amazon.com, 106 rate the book at 1 star of possible 5 - at this rate she'll have to pull a Jim Wright to sell enough to break even.)

Well, we tried to stay out of it, but ...

Well, we were sitting around the WPBC HQ, spinning up some frozen drinks in the ol' Osterizer, when the Twitterfeed went nuts, and the Blogs started going spastic, and generally speaking, our quiet little world started falling apart. There was more pinging and bell-ringing going on than a gay pride parade.

Seems those nutty GOP Congressman weren't so nutty after all. What the "Drive-by ME-dia" reported (rather scarcely) as a "political stunt" has turned into an all-out internet/new media revolution! (Proving yet again: The Main Stream Media is increasingly irrelevant.)

dontgo.us and callbackcongress.com, along with several (as in dozens) of Blogs, "Media Lizzy" Blackney, and thousands of just plain ol' Americans are on the floor of the US House, in the dark, without microphones or C-SPAN, just having a national conversation on energy via the Internet. It is an amazing thing to watch. Folks have been sneaking in camera phones and posting video clips to the 'net. (FYI, our fellow Tweeting flacks @kurtluidhardt and @krisluidhardt are on the floor as we write sending out updates and posting to their blog (BTW, throw us a bone and crosspost a few of those will ya?)

What the Drive-by ME-dia can't (or likely won't) report, these intrepid new media hacks are scooping and driving a grassroots potential uprising over the issue of giving the Members of Congress an up or down vote on comprehensive Energy Reform legislation. Sounds pretty logical to us here at the WPBC - even if we have had a few fruity concoctions of questionable recipe.

So we say, Keep Going! Crank it up! This is great stuff. BTW, We all logged on to sign the petition.

REAL Energy Reform for America

Check out this great Op-Ed from the Washington Times by Rep. Dan Burton