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Republicans Protest Congressional Vacation as Gas Prices Soar
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ShareAugust 05, 2008 12:34 PM
ABC News' Dean Norland Reports: House Republicans, who insist that Speaker Nancy Pelosi call the House back from its summer recess so votes can be taken on their energy legislation, continued for a third day to make speeches to GOP staff members and Capitol Hill tourists.
They did so in the dimly-lit chamber of the House of Representatives, without the aid of working television cameras or a public address system.
The Republicans became miffed last Friday when Democrats abruptly adjourned the House until September 8 without giving them a chance to speak on the floor about their energy plan, which includes exploring for oil in ANWR and more off-shore drilling.
Even though the House had officially gone out of session, some Republicans stayed on the floor and made speeches anyway.
After taking the weekend off, the guerrilla oratory continued Monday, with organizers of the talk-in estimating that 24 of the 199 House Republicans participated.
At a news conference Tuesday before marching into the House chamber to begin their third day of protest, the GOP dissidents took some credit for the recent drop in the price of oil.
"Markets respond. The market is responding to the fact that we're here talking," said Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz.
Nine Republicans were present at the news conference. Two of them held a sign asking: "NANCY PELOSI – WE'RE HERE, WHERE ARE YOU?"
With the House not in session, the chambers' televisions cameras have been turned off for the three days of speeches. The lights in the chamber have been dimmed, which is normally the case when the House is not session. Also the public address system is off, forcing the Republicans to speak up so they can be heard in the large chamber.
Lucky tourists, many of whom just happened to be touring the Capitol, have been given the rare opportunity of sitting on the House floor. Wearing t-shirt and shorts, they became an impromptu audience for the speechmakers.
Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a statement on Monday saying, "This Republican hoax is unworthy of the serious debate we must have to reduce the price at the pump and promote energy independence."
House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., referred to GOP tactics as "stunts" by a "smattering of House Republicans".
But Republicans claim their unofficial floor sessions are gaining traction with voters who are wondering why Congress is taking a five week vacation while gasoline prices remain so high.
They vow to continue speaking out on the House floor rest of this week and during the weeks ahead.
August 5, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (788)
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Bravo Republicans! You Dems have to admit the Republicans are right. Why are they on vacation while middle America is getting killed at the pumps? I thought you were for the people? I guess not. In addition, High Gas prices are killing consumer spending and hurting the economy. I guess you think that that is just dandy huh?
Posted by: Aboleo | Aug 5, 2008 1:08:19 PM
Hehe, I love it. Well, the proof is in the pudding.
Posted by: Mark Paquette | Aug 5, 2008 1:08:38 PM
Just imagine if the USA drilled for new oil, our autos beceme more efficent and we developed nuclear power plants. Our country would become the envy of the world.
Posted by: CV | Aug 5, 2008 1:08:49 PM
Why doesn't everyone here write to ABC,NBC and CBS and ask them why this isn't news. Maybe if they get 10,000 emails they might make it news, then again, maybe just the amount of Emails will make news...
Posted by: Nan | Aug 5, 2008 1:10:26 PM
Even Obama has seen the light. The man who said he would not drill is now saying maybe. Don't let that fool you. Come January, they will forget all of this and tell us to put more air in our tire. I now have 85 pounds in mine. No help..
Posted by: DJ | Aug 5, 2008 1:14:55 PM
Typical Democrats. Always on vacation when there is business that needs tending. It's amazing that voters don't see how horribly wrong the democrats are for our country.
"One of the most pervasive political visions of our time is the vision of liberals as compassionate and conservatives as less caring."
Thomas Sowell
Posted by: Al-in-Indy | Aug 5, 2008 1:16:06 PM
Pelosi having to answer to her voters? Won't happen. They have as much or more air blowing between their ears as that nut burger does. San Fransisco is about as American as Cuba.
Her master plan is to wait until the Democratic/Socialist party has more power and then shove more of her Socialistic ways down the worlds last bastion of Freedoms throat.
Posted by: JP | Aug 5, 2008 1:16:34 PM
Nan,
You can't email the news organizations. They don't have an email address that is covenant to send them any comments. They don't want our input, because they think we are stupid and we can't tell them anything. Only they can enlighten us!!
Posted by: DJ | Aug 5, 2008 1:18:08 PM
I cancelled last summer AND this summers vacation because I couldn't afford the high cost of gas. So what does Pelosi and congress do? THEY GET TO GO ON VACATION.
We need the slate cleaned on both sides of the isle and start over.
Posted by: JP | Aug 5, 2008 1:21:49 PM
I suppose I'm in the minority here, but I kind of feel safer when Congress isn't at work.
Didn't the Republicans used to like the government that governs least, too?
Posted by: Paul | Aug 5, 2008 1:21:53 PM
Last i checked gas is going down!!!
Posted by: angie | Aug 5, 2008 1:26:14 PM
The Democratic/Socialists/Pelosi party saying we can't drill our way out of this problem is much like saying our Farmers couldn't grow us out of starvation.
DUMB DUMB DUMB.
Posted by: JP | Aug 5, 2008 1:26:52 PM
DJ
THE REPUBLICANS HAD 6 YEARS TO HELP US WHAT HAVE THEY DONE LOOK AT THIS MESS WE ARE IN!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Aug 5, 2008 1:27:30 PM
I don't recall electing ANY politician to SAVE THE PLANET. Talk about hypocritical...Pelosi states she won't be prey to Republican tricks yet she did the exact same thing by not even allowing an up and down vote.
Yeah, those Dems really care about us common folk.
Posted by: Stephanie in TX | Aug 5, 2008 1:28:36 PM
Keep it up!!!!!!
A quick question, Democrates argue that increased oil supply(drilling) will do nothing to effect price. Then why is Saint Obama wanting to release the strategic oil reserve? Would it be to lower the price.........drill away Republicans and good Democrates that put country before party.
Posted by: Andy | Aug 5, 2008 1:28:53 PM
Nancy Pelosi..Calling Nancy Pelosi, you're wanted in the Senate.
Nice of you to take a vacation trying to promote your book that made such a great debut.
This is why American's like me hate our politician. Yeah, I know, I said hate.
Posted by: David M | Aug 5, 2008 1:30:17 PM
Paul,
We want congress to come back to undo their perverse regulations that keep us from using our own energy. Of course it's better when they're not in session, unless they get together to take away legislation that is hindering free enterprise. Drill now!
Posted by: Dave | Aug 5, 2008 1:32:41 PM
I love the bp commercial when they say look into solar power and this lovely grain-covered hillside behind the speaker is covered with thousands of ugly blue squares. It may be clean, but at what cost? The entire midwest subject to solar panels and windmills? The Great Plains just an energy field?
Posted by: What? | Aug 5, 2008 1:33:05 PM
Pelosi denied the American people's representatives the chance to VOTE !
This is how the Left operates. Look for more of the same of OHB is elected.
Lemme guess... At 9% approval rating, I bet the Democrats will get spanked.
Posted by: somaking | Aug 5, 2008 1:34:10 PM
Pelosi is killing Obama's chance of getting elected.
Most common sense Americans know that even just "talking" about allowing drilling in ANWR and Offshore "creates" the potential for more production in the future, which lowers the "futures" commodity prices, which lowers the price at the pump, TODAY !!!
Posted by: Is_Pelosi_crazy | Aug 5, 2008 1:34:22 PM
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