The GOP House Is Going For It

From Michelle Malkin:

Just got this heads up from a Hill staffer. The Democrats may have gone on vacation, but House Republicans are on the floor today, working on behalf of taxpayers to push energy proposals forward. Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, is busy hawking her miserably performing book–currently 1,726 on Amazon.com:

From: Stipicevic, John
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 11:39 AM
Subject: WHIP FLOOR UPDATE

Although, this Democrat Majority just Adjourned for the Democrat 5-Week Vacation, House Republicans are continuing to fight on the House Floor. Although the lights, mics and C-SPAN camera's have been turned off, House Republicans are on the Floor speaking to the taxpayers in the gallery who, not surprisingly, agree with Republican Energy proposals.

All Republicans who are in town are encouraged to come to the House Floor.

***

Update: From the Republican Study Committee, a call for President Bush to convene a special session on gas prices.

Just do it!

Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee (RSC), and Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), former Chairman of RSC, today urged President Bush to call for a special session of Congress after the House adjourned without allowing a vote on comprehensive legislation to develop more American energy and help the millions of Americans currently feeling pain at the gas pump.

The text of their letter is below:

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

The House of Representatives has not taken a vote since January 2007 that would expand domestic energy production. All the while, Americans are hurting. Every time they go to fill up their cars, trucks or tractors they feel the pain at the pump. High gas prices are harming the vitality of our families, the elderly, small businesses, and family farms. Each and every American is affected.

Today the Democrat controlled Congress adjourned for a five-week vacation without taking a vote on bipartisan measures that would lessen our dependence on foreign oil by allowing more domestic drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. In fact, they adjourned without even allowing time for debate on the subject of drilling.

On July 14, 2008, you took the strong action of lifting the executive order that had banned offshore drilling. In so doing, you said that allowing offshore oil drilling is "one of the most important steps we can take" to reduce the burden of high gas prices. Now, all it would take is an act of Congress for that drilling to begin.

Since Speaker Pelosi has decided not to keep the House in session to allow this vote to take place, we urge you to use the power vested in you by the Constitution to convene an immediate energy special session of Congress. Under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, you have the power 'on extraordinary occasions' to convene the Congress.

We believe that the energy emergency that has increased the pain felt by Americans when they purchase $4 per gallon gasoline is an extraordinary occasion. We urge you to immediately bring the Congress back into session to do its job and give the bipartisan, pro-drilling majority a vote.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

This is outstanding for two reasons.  First, the GOP in the House is showing an amazing amount of spine in hammering relentlessly away at this energy issue.  This is what the American people want, and it's a breath of fresh air to see some members of Congress actually representing the American people for a change!

Second, this is a beautiful illustration of the Democrat leadership.  Pelosi ignored a legitimate financial crisis, refusing to even allow a vote on legislation that would help the American people.  She knew that a number of her own party would happily vote with Republicans to open up more oil drilling and energy production, and that she would almost certainly lose such a vote, so she squashed it and forced the House into its August recess.  Then, when a number of GOPers remained on the floor of the House, she ordered that the cameras, microphones, and lights be turned out!

Can we say Stalin, anyone?  This is how the Democrats run things!

It seems like the tide is changing, and it's because of this precise issue.  I would love nothing more than to see President Bush call a special session of Congress to address this energy legislation (I've seen the suggestion in more than one place).  I would guess it'll give him a significant bump in the ratings, it would empower the Republicans fighting for the American people, and it could -- assuming a vote would finally be held -- finally provide some welcome real progress on energy production.

Mr. President: call the special session!

There's my two cents.