Feed Editor (Unlicensed) 16 Jul 2008 20:25:59 GMT Daily updates from House Republicans' efforts to increase domestic energy production and lower gas prices. http://gopleader.gov/energy en The House GOP’s nationwide gas prices protest rolls on today, with Republicans promoting their “all of the above” energy plan to lower gas prices on the House floor and in local communities across the country. Meanwhile, Democrats are reeling – from the GOP’s unprecedented revolt and from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) comments to CNN’s Larry King earlier this week that the House “can have a vote” on expanded drilling for oil and gas. The Los Angeles Times reports this morning that the Democrats are scrambling to avoid more backlash from American families and small businesses saddled with high gas prices under the Democratic Majority. Why are the Democrats so panicked? Well, because a strong majority of the American people agree with Republicans on the number one issue in the country today. As Robert Samuelson wrote in the Washington Post yesterday, “The Democrats are deservedly getting pounded on this.” But the fact is, Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues really don’t support more drilling for oil and gas to help bring down fuel costs. After all, they’ve spent months blocking a vote on increased production of American energy for precisely that reason. An editorial in yesterday’s Investor’s Business Daily reports that the Democrats’ latest tactic may be to load up a bill that contains token “energy production” with scores of unrelated items, including tax hikes and taxpayer-funded pork. 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 will Democrats continue defying the will of the American people for more American-made energy and lower gas prices? 14 Aug 2008 14:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C • The House GOP’s nationwide gas prices protest rolls on today, with Members promoting their “all of the above” energy plan to lower gas prices on the House floor and in local communities across the country. Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her Democratic colleagues are still reeling from her comments to CNN’s Larry King that the House “can have a vote” on expanded drilling for oil and gas. For the last 36 hours, Democrats have scrambled to explain away those comments and today will convene an all-hands-on-deck conference call to determine their latest energy “strategy.” • Why are the Democrats so panicked? Well, aside from the fact that they continue to be on the wrong side of public opinion on the number one issue on the minds of the American people, the fact is, Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues really don’t support more drilling for oil and gas to help bring down fuel costs. After all, they’ve spent months blocking a vote on increased production of American energy for precisely that reason. An editorial in today’s Investor’s Business Daily reports that the Democrats’ latest tactic may be to load up a bill that contains more energy production with scores of unrelated items, including tax hikes and taxpayer-funded pork. • As House Democrats huddle today to 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. 13 Aug 2008 14:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C When asked last night by CNN host Larry King if she would call Congress back into session to address the energy crisis, Speaker Pelosi said, in part, “[T]hey have this thing that says, drill offshore in the protected areas. Well we can do that. We can have a vote on that.”  House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) responded this morning and urged the Speaker to call Congress back into session for a vote right now: “If Speaker Pelosi is truly sincere about having a vote on deep ocean oil and gas drilling to help bring down fuel costs, she should use her power as Speaker to call Congress back into session immediately and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. Ever since Speaker Pelosi adjourned Congress for a five-week break while Americans are left to suffer at the pump, House Republicans have taken our message of more American-made energy and lower gas prices directly to the American people – on the floor of the House and in communities across the country. Based on the Speaker’s comments last night, it is clear our unprecedented nationwide effort is having an impact. “Our message to Speaker Pelosi is very simple: we are ready to vote on more energy production and lower gas prices right now, and we should not wait one more day to begin giving the American people the relief they expect and deserve. If you meant what you said last night, we welcome you and your Democratic colleagues to join us in our historic call to action on American energy. End your five-week break early and call Congress back into session now so we can vote for more American-made energy and lower gas prices without any further delay.” 12 Aug 2008 14:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C Thumbing their nose at the American people, Democratic leaders yesterday voted to adjourn the House for five weeks until September 8 without an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), comprehensive legislation to help lower gasoline prices by increasing production of American energy, encouraging conservation and efficiency, and promoting alternative fuels. • he Democratic Majority delivered the ultimate insult to the solid majority of Americans and a bipartisan majority in Congress who want an up-or-down vote on more American-made energy. •Instead of listening to the American people, Speaker Pelosi and Senators Reid and Obama bowed to their allies at radical special interest groups like the Sierra Club, which has plainly stated that America is ‘better off without cheap gas’ and is running ads in support of their freshman Democratic members. •Even in Speaker Pelosi’s home state, according to a San Francisco Chronicle story this morning, a majority of Californians support responsible drilling: “A majority of Californians favor more oil drilling off the coast, according to a statewide survey released Wednesday … The support by 51 percent of residents polled this month by the Public Policy Institute of California represents a shift caused by renewed Republican advocacy for drilling as well as motorists' reaction to soaring pump prices, according to the pollster.” •The American people want a vote on more American energy; they want lower gas prices; and they won’t stop until they get it – even if out-of-touch Democratic leaders and their ‘Drill-Nothing Congress’ continue to defy their will. 31 Jul 2008 14:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C House Republicans held a press conference this morning to demand a vote on the American Energy Act, comprehensive legislation to increase production of American energy, encourage conservation and efficiency, and promote alternative fuels. •Democratic leaders – such as Speaker Pelosi, Senators Reid and Obama, and the rest of their ‘Drill-Nothing Congress’ – are expected to adjourn and skip town without an up-or-down vote to lower gas prices, but Republicans will hold them accountable if they do. •In addition, Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Education & Labor Committee Senior Republican Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today launched an online survey to collect input from school officials, teachers, and parents impacted by surging prices for gasoline and other energy costs. •Housed on the Education & Labor Committee’s Republican website, at http://republicans.edlabor.house.gov/energysurvey.shtml, this initiative will gather information and stories from school officials, teachers, families, and communities to further illustrate the consequences of the Democratic Congress’ current inaction on energy reform. 30 Jul 2008 14:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C This is a defining week for Democratic leaders in charge of this Congress. Republicans are making clear that Democratic leaders should not adjourn the Congress and take a vacation without an up-or-down vote to lower gas prices. Republicans are demanding a vote. Last week House Republicans unveiled the American Energy Act, a comprehensive plan that increases production of American energy, encourages conservation & efficiency, and promotes alternative fuels. A bipartisan majority in Congress supports the GOP plan, but Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama are blocking a vote. They are blocking a vote because they know it would pass. Republicans support more American-made energy to help lower gas prices, and the American people support our efforts. America has the resources right here at home to help bring down gas prices for families and small businesses. All we're asking for from Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama is an up-or-down vote to lower gas prices. 29 Jul 2008 14:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C A noteworthy Washington Post editorial this morning which highlighted the fact that “Speaker Pelosi won't let the House debate the merits of offshore drilling.” Here’s just a few excerpts from the editorial: “Why not have a vote on offshore drilling? There’s a serious debate to be had over whether Congress should lift the ban on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf that has been in place since 1981. Unfortunately, you won't be hearing it in the House of Representatives -- certainly, you won't find lawmakers voting on it -- anytime soon.” “Instead of dealing with the issue on the merits, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a staunch opponent of offshore drilling, has simply decreed that she will not allow a drilling vote to take place on the House floor.” “When they took the majority, House Democrats proclaimed that ‘bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants the Minority the right to offer its alternatives.’ Why not on drilling? … “[W]hy are they so worried about letting it come to a vote? This week, House Republicans introduced the American Energy Act to increase American-made energy and help lower gas prices, and a solid majority of the American people and a bipartisan majority in Congress support it. The measure encourages more conservation and efficiency, promotes the use of alternative fuels, and increases environmentally-responsible production of American energy – all to help bring down the price at the pump for families and small businesses. It is time for Speaker Pelosi and Senators Reid and Obama to stop blocking an up-or-down vote to help lower gas prices. Congress should not leave for the August recess without giving the American Energy Act the vote it deserves. 25 Jul 2008 13:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C With just days remaining before a five-week August recess, Democratic leaders are irresponsibly putting another bill on the House floor masquerading as a real energy plan. The American people know better. • They support new American-made energy to help lower gas prices, but this bill does not offer a single drop of new American oil or gas. It’s little more than a three-and-a-half day ‘solution’ to a year-round problem for American families and small businesses – not to mention another ploy by the Democratic leadership to run out the clock and avoid a real vote on more American energy and lower gas prices. • Yesterday, House Republicans introduced the American Energy Act to increase American-made energy and help lower gas prices, and a solid majority of the American people and a bipartisan majority in Congress support it. The measure encourages more conservation and efficiency, promotes the use of alternative fuels, and increases environmentally-responsible production of American energy – all to help bring down the price at the pump for families and small businesses. • It is time for Speaker Pelosi and Senators Reid and Obama to stop blocking an up-or-down vote to help lower gas prices. Congress should not leave for the August recess without giving the American Energy Act the vote it deserves. 24 Jul 2008 13:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C Today, 11 House Republicans return to Capitol Hill after wrapping up the American Energy Tour in Colorado and Alaska, which highlighted the importance of the House GOP “all of the above” strategy to increase American energy production and lower gas prices. * In Colorado, Republicans saw cutting-edge solar, wind, fuel cell, biomass, and other emerging technologies to help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. In Alaska, they learned that wildlife and environmentally safe energy production successfully coexist in the region. * What’s more clear than ever before is that the American people want action, and right now only Democratic leaders are standing in the way of lower gas prices. In fact, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made it clear last week that House Democratic leaders will continue to defy the will of the American people and a bipartisan majority in Congress by refusing to schedule votes on meaningful legislation to increase American energy production. Last Thursday, the Speaker told CNN flatly that, “I have no plans to do so.” * A strong majority of Americans strongly support GOP solutions on gas prices, and Republicans are committed to helping struggling families and small businesses by using every option at our disposal to force votes on our plan. 22 Jul 2008 13:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C * Today President Bush announced that he will lift the presidential ban on the exploration of oil and gas in the Outer Continental Shelf. * Only Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues in the Democratic leadership stand in the way of responsible deepwater oil and gas exploration to help reduce gas prices. * Republicans stand ready to work with the Democratic Majority to bring an end to this outdated ban so we can reduce our nation’s costly dependence on foreign sources of energy, empower states and localities to make decisions regarding energy exploration, and create thousands of good-paying jobs here at home. * Lifting the ban is a key part of the House Republicans’ ‘all of the above’ energy plan to lower fuel costs. Enacting this plan, which would increase production of American energy, improve energy efficiency and conservation, and encourage investment in groundbreaking research in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies, will signal to the rest of the world that America will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring down fuel costs. * It is time for the Democratic leadership to heed the American people’s calls by lifting the ban on deep ocean energy exploration and allowing a vote on the GOP’s ‘all of the above’ plan to help lower gas prices. 16 Jul 2008 20:29:05 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 1EFD615C-C6B5-4544-B3DE-6AA0C563BEC2 * Today Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) filed a discharge petition aimed at forcing Democrat leaders to schedule a vote on the Fuel Mandate Reduction Act (H.R. 2493), legislation authored by Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) to reduce the price of gasoline by removing fuel blend requirements and government mandates that contribute to high gas prices * The current gasoline supply includes specially formulated fuels, which are required by law in certain communities. When supplies of one or more of these special blends are limited, prices rise quickly, intensifying consumers’ pain at the pump. By simplifying the U.S. fuel supply mix, the Fuel Mandate Reduction Act would make more fuel supplies available to communities and help reduce gas prices. * If rank-and-file Democrats are truly concerned about reducing the price of gasoline on behalf of American consumers, they will sign Rep. Drake’s petition to force Speaker Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Hoyer (D-MD), and their colleagues in the Democratic leadership to bring this common sense legislation to the floor. * With August recess rapidly approaching, Members on both sides of the aisle must begin speaking with one voice: we should not leave town without giving the American people the energy reforms to lower gas prices they expect and deserve 16 Jul 2008 20:29:06 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html B1123BD8-94CD-473A-B15C-0AE98C391D2D • House Republicans have transformed their “all-of-the-above” energy strategy into a single piece of legislation: the American Energy Act, which will be introduced today at a rally on the West Front Steps of the U.S. Capitol. • The bill – a product made possible by energy policies proposed by Members throughout the House Republican Conference – will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. • While Democratic leaders continue to block a vote on any meaningful solutions to help lower energy costs, it’s clear that bipartisan passage of the American Energy Act would demonstrate to the world that America will no longer keep its rich energy resources under lock-and-key. Not only will it help bring down the price of gasoline now, but it will make needed investments in the alternative fuels that will power our lives and our economy in the future. 23 Jul 2008 13:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C How hostile are Democratic leaders toward increased energy supplies? So hostile that today, they have scheduled a vote on a bill that will actually stop a critical supply of energy that could help reduce home heating costs in the Northeast. * The Majority is bringing to the floor today H.R. 415, a measure to designate Massachusetts’ Taunton River a federally-recognized “wild and scenic river.” But it is neither wild nor scenic. So what’s the real reason for this designation? The bill – authored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), whose district houses part of the river – would stop the planned construction of a liquefied natural gas facility that would increase energy supplies to residents of the Northeast. * That’s right: one of the House’s most senior and powerful Democrats is slamming the breaks on a facility that would increase energy production to help lower home heating costs for countless families and seniors in New England. Now that’s hostile! * Here what a recent editorial from the Wall Street Journal said: “Mr. Frank’s real agenda can be spied on the right-hand shore in this picture. This is the proposed site of a terminal for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG). The terminal would be located right about where those five white storage tanks are at the top of the picture – hardly untrammeled wilderness. The Congressman, whose district includes part of Fall River and the Taunton River, has long opposed the LNG port.” – “Mr. Frank’s Wild River,” Wall Street Journal editorial, 7/9/08 16 Jul 2008 20:29:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html DAF93536-5CA7-46B1-8F8D-E11EE4417B4C * House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today announced that he and 10 of his House GOP colleagues will travel to Colorado and Alaska next week to highlight meaningful solutions to help reduce gas prices and break America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy. * The GOP delegation will tour the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado and Alaska’s remote North Slope. The two stops reflect the “all of the above” energy plan promoted by House Republicans to combat high gas prices – a plan that increases production of American energy, encourages more conservation and efficiency, and promotes the use of alternative fuels. * Policies not widely embraced when gasoline was $2 per gallon – such as oil exploration on a tiny patch of Alaska’s vast North Slope – now enjoy the American people’s overwhelming support in the face of $4 per gallon gas. That is why House Republicans are heading to the Arctic Coastal Plain: to learn about the abundance of American energy held hostage below the tundra by the Democrats in charge of Congress, and to promote the environmentally-safe exploration of those resources on behalf of families and small businesses alike. * At the same time, the future of American energy is in alternative and renewable fuels, which is why America must encourage new and emerging technologies, such as those developed at the renewable energy lab the GOP delegation will tour outside of Denver. 16 Jul 2008 20:29:04 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 8CFE53C7-8584-4502-8297-B1F0EF886220 * Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) filed a discharge petition today on the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Act (H.R. 2208), legislation authored by introduced by Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL) and Rick Boucher (D-VA) to help reduce the price of gasoline by encouraging the use of clean coal-to-liquid technology. * This discharge petition is the fourth of seven that House Republicans will offer on legislation to help bring down the cost of gas by increasing American energy production this summer. Each week, as Democrats sit by and watch the price of gasoline skyrocket, House Republicans are offering solutions to bring down the price of gasoline. * On his discharge petition today, Rep. Roskam said this: “So as we move forward it is my hope that Democrats will sign this discharge petition, that they’ll shake up their leadership, that they’ll not be just following Speaker Pelosi’s brake lights right off the cliffs in the fog of San Francisco, but that they’ll stand up for their own districts and do the right thing and shake off the shackles of leadership that has just decided to put its head in the sand.” * Pressure is building on Democratic leaders – pressure from House Republicans, from an increasing number of rank-and-file Democrats in both the House and the Senate, and from the American people, who overwhelmingly favor more American energy production. How much longer will it take for the Democrats in charge of Congress to realize that they alone are standing in the way of even more American energy supply – and even lower gas prices – by blocking the House GOP’s “all of the above” energy plan? 16 Jul 2008 20:29:03 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html ACD60EFF-4170-43DD-8EA2-3E9A20B80DFB According to media reports today, Democratic leaders – who vowed to address meaningful energy legislation after the Fourth of July recess – have “scrubbed the floor schedule of the energy legislation.” Democratic leaders pulled a bill (H.R. 415) from House floor consideration to designate the Taunton River in Massachusetts – which is lined with industrial facilities – as “wild and scenic.” House Republicans rightly pointed out that the bill is expressly designed to block construction of a liquefied natural gas plant in Fall River and would undermine efforts to help lower energy costs for millions of Americans in the region. A Democratic aide admitted their plan on gas prices is to: “Drive small cars and wait for the wind.” While the national average price for a gallon of gas has risen to $4.11 under the Democrats’ watch, House Republicans will continue to fight for our “all of the above” energy reform plan that will increase the supply of American-made energy and help lower gas prices for struggling families and small businesses 16 Jul 2008 20:29:02 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html C0CB0210-6F2A-4FA4-AAE5-EA3466A9A7DA Today House Democrats seem willing to leave town without taking any meaningful action to help families and small businesses struggling with skyrocketing gas prices. Democratic leaders have scheduled votes on three no-energy measures that do nothing to increase American energy production, reduce gas prices, or secure our energy future. Simply put, this is an insult to the American people who want more American energy, as poll after poll continues to demonstrate. Republicans have made it clear that Congress should not leave town without voting on meaningful solutions to increase American energy production and help lower gas prices. It’s time for Democratic leaders to end their sham votes on “no energy” bills and agree to work with Republicans to help bring the American people the lower gas prices they deserve. 16 Jul 2008 20:29:01 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 814C4EA7-2E4E-43A4-A729-38B5672EFD50 # Congress should not leave town for the Independence Day break without voting on energy reforms that will actually lower gas prices and increase production of American energy. # Problems with the Democrat Anti-Price Gouging Bill H.R. 6346: * The FTC—despite numerous investigations—has never found evidence of collusive price fixing or “gouging” behavior. Even so, the FTC has existing authority to go after collusive price fixing under current antitrust law. * This bill does nothing to directly address high gasoline prices. We need to address high prices of motor and home heating fuels, but this legislation will have the opposite effect. We can only help consumers by increasing supply through increased refinery capacity and increased domestic production. 16 Jul 2008 20:29:00 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 23D1200F-2C5B-4709-8DF4-6518F0BE747A Democrats Duck Vote on Increasing Production, Defy Will of the American People House Democratic leaders took another step today to block increased American energy production that would bring down gas prices for working families and small businesses. In a surprising move, Democrats postponed consideration of an Interior Appropriations measure instead of voting on an amendment from Republican Congressman John Peterson (R-PA) that, if enacted, would allow increased exploration in deep ocean energy zones far off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Despite a recent poll showing that two-thirds of Americans support oil and gas exploration in deep ocean energy zones and expect it will lower prices at the pump, Democrats in Congress apparently remain intent on thwarting the will of their constituents, consistently putting up roadblocks on America’s path to energy independence. * Video of Rep. Peterson explaining his ammendment on FOX News' Happening Now 16 Jul 2008 20:27:54 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html D6765AE2-A7F5-4CE1-AC5B-8F6115DF963C * House Republicans have put forth an “all of the above” energy plan to lower prices at the pump by promoting increased and environmentally sound American exploration of oil and gas, improving energy efficiency and conservation, and encouraging investment in groundbreaking research in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies. * A recently released Reuters/Zogby poll confirms that a majority of Americans (60 percent) support a key component of the GOP plan – producing more American-made energy – which is consistent with other surveys as well. * At the same time, House Democrats are hinting at what could be their “commonsense” plan – nationalizing America’s oil refineries. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) actually said: “I think that’s a good idea.” Just two weeks ago Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) echoed those remarks when she said the federal government should just take over all oil companies. * The one thing both plans have in common: they will do nothing to help lower gas prices for struggling families and small businesses. 16 Jul 2008 20:28:58 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 548D8FE4-C266-4E85-8830-9E5F2DEC3ADD * With just one week left before the July 4 break, the Democrat Congress seems willing to leave town without doing anything to answer the challenge of $4 gas and schedule for the House floor meaningful solutions to increase the supply of American-made energy and lower gas prices. * Americans are paying, on average, $1.74 more for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline than they were on the day Nancy Pelosi became Speaker, a painful Pelosi Premium that continues to impact families, small businesses, and every sector of the American economy. * Last week Democratic leaders had time to schedule legislation on the interstate sale of monkeys, but they apparently didn't have time to listen to the large majority of Americans who support more U.S. energy production. A new Fox News poll shows that 76 percent of Americans support immediate efforts to drill more in the United States in order to boost American energy production and help lower record prices - just the latest poll showing that a clear majority of the American people support Republican energy reforms. 16 Jul 2008 20:28:59 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 9CD586EF-BC71-4B72-8408-D8C8E10012E4 • Do-Nothing” Democrat leadership continues to sit on the sidelines as gas prices soar higher • Average retail gas prices hit an all-time record high over the weekend of $4 per gallon of regular unleaded, according to AAA • Average prices have gone up over $1.65 since the beginning of the 110th Congress – this represents a nearly 71 percent increase during Nancy Pelosi’s speakership House Republicans have a plan that will increase the production of American-made energy in an environmentally-safe way. This includes the exploration of next generation oil, natural gas, and coal and the production of advanced alternative fuels like cellulosic and clean coal-to-liquids – all while protecting our natural resources for future generations. 10 Jun 2008 14:26:07 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 3322E43E-FF50-440B-BD8A-F0674B97BC8F With three legislative days remaining this week, Congress should not leave town for the Independence Day break without voting on meaningful energy solutions to increase American energy and help bring down gas prices, but that’s exactly what Democrats plan to do. * Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues plan to hold a news conference on the Democrats’ “efforts to lower gas prices” today but the Speaker’s plans have completely imploded. None of the four bills Democratic leaders had planned to vote on this week would increase production of American energy to help lower gas prices – even though more energy production is exactly what the American people want, according to poll after poll. * Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that Democrats are “maneuvering to block Republican attempts to expand offshore drilling, an idea gaining in popularity amid $4-a-gallon gas prices.” * House Republicans have introduced an “all of the above” energy plan that would increase production of American energy, encourage more conservation and efficiency, and promote the use of alternative fuels, and we will continue to fight every day on behalf of struggling families and small businesses. 16 Jul 2008 20:29:00 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html 7AFF493E-CE55-4445-9B41-05C7BF76DE6B Increasing the Production of American-Made Energy in an Environmentally-Safe Way Republicans Support • Increasing access for environmentally responsible development of conventional and unconventional domestic oil and natural gas production; • Providing coal-to-liquids financing and tax incentives; • Advancing the commercialization of the nation’s two trillion barrel shale oil resource, 80 percent of which occurs on government-owned land in the West - enough to supply all of America’s needs for over two centuries. While Democrats: • This week House Democrats will NOT take any action to increase American energy production; • Majority Leader Hoyer said NOTHING about gas prices in his statement last Friday setting the this week’s House schedule, even though gas prices were expected to, and in fact did, climb to over $4 per gallon over the weekend. 16 Jul 2008 20:25:59 GMT http://www.gop.gov/energy/factsheets/past.html