We Need an Emergency Session to Deal with Energy Prices

House Republicans call on Pelosi to Schedule an Emergency Session of Congress
On Friday, August 1, 2008, House Republican Leader John Boehner wrote a letter to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanding that she call an emergency session of the House to vote on HR 6566 “The American Energy Act.” I stand with Leader Boehner because I understand how much hardworking American families need (and are demanding) an energy bill that does “All of the Above.” Unfortunately, Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on a one person crusade to “Save the Planet,” has decided it is she who knows what hardworking Americans want and has blocked any consideration of energy legislation that would help Americans. 

Key Components of “All of the Above” Legislation:
1) Increases domestic energy exploration and production
2) Incentivizes research and development of clean alternative and renewable energy technologies
3) Encourages fuel efficiency and conservation

Moment of Truth: Nancy Pelosi Blocks Energy Vote, then Vacations  

On Allowing a Vote on Domestic Exploration, Pelosi replies, “I Have No Plans to Do So”
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to rebuff the cries of the American people for an “All of the Above” approach to energy independence. As we head into the August district work period, Pelosi stood with radical environmentalists against the will of the American people to block attempts by Republicans to bring our historic and comprehensive “American Energy Act” to the floor for an up or down vote. In one of the most important votes of my four years serving the 24th District, I voted against adjourning the House for August (and thereby for keeping Congress in D.C) so Republicans and Democrats could work together on passing legislation that would provide near-term relief at the pump and long-term energy security. In a demonstration of her tight grip on the Democratic Caucus, Pelosi muscled the adjournment vote through the House by a 213 to 212 vote with her foot on the necks of her Democratic members (many of whom must have wanted to vote against adjourning), choosing instead to appease radical leftists in her party rather than acknowledge the pain Americans feel at the pump and in their pocketbooks.      

During the entire summer as Americans have felt the effects of a spike in the already high gas prices, Pelosi has sought to manipulate House rules using oppressive procedural tactics in order to exclude amendments from Republicans that would provide real solutions. Furthermore, Pelosi has stifled debate on her own proposals which were widely criticized by her own members as hoaxes and shams. 

Much Ado about Nothing: Nancy’s Pelosi’s Game of Charades
Rather than sitting down with Republicans and moderate Democrats to bring a real energy bill to the House floor, Pelosi has decided to strengthen her resolve and commitment to environmental zealots rather than find commonsense solutions to our energy crisis. What is wrong with an “All of the Above” energy plan?

Nancy Pelosi has brought several show bills that: 1) reiterate established U.S. policy; and 2) do nothing to address the lack of supply of American energy. When she twice unveiled her “Use it or Lose it” bill, she said she was making sure that American energy companies were using the land they were leasing. What she conveniently forgot to note was that “Use it or Lose it” is already the law of the land and that further onerous regulations would actually discourage exploration by slowing the process for approval of new leases. When Pelosi heralded the speculators bill, she said it would cut speculation that she claims drives up energy prices. What she does not say is that speculators drive up the price of energy because they know America is not committed to increasing the domestic energy supply and becoming energy independent. None of Pelosi’s bills would increase domestic supply. Pelosi also brought a windfall profits tax to the floor promising to tax the energy companies into submission and make energy cheaper. Using carefully worded populist rhetoric, she forgot to mention that increasing taxes would further discourage companies from investing in clean renewable and alternative technologies. Turning a new leaf, however, Pelosi has promised drilling, but only in places where there isn’t any oil…just another example of her misplaced priorities. 

American Energy for the American People

Bills I Support that will Provide Immediate Relief and Long-term Energy Security:
• HR 6656 (The American Energy Act)
• HR 756 (increases and extends tax credit for purchase of flex-fuel hybrid vehicles)
• HR 778 (makes permanent a tax credit for energy efficient property expenditures)
• HR 1618 (provides a tax credit for the purchase of plug-in hybrid vehicles)
• HR 2208 (Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Act)
• HR 2279 (Expand American Refining Capacity on Closed Military Installations)
• HR 2493 (Boutique Fuel Mandate Reduction Act)
• HR 2652 (Generating Renewable Energy & Encouraging Novel Technologies Act)
• HR 3089 (No More Excuses Energy Act)
• HR 5656 (To Repeal the Ban on Acquiring Alternative Fuels)
• HR 5984 (Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act)
• HR 6107 (American Independence & Price Reduction Act)
• HR 6108 (Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act)
• HR 6138 (encourages oil shale exploration)
• HR 6139 (Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act)
• HR 6384 (Americans for American Energy Act)

This week’s votes on the floor, hearings, and markups:

Each week I get the opportunity to represent you in Congress by: 1) voting on legislation that comes to the House floor; and 2) participating in committee hearings and markups for the Financial Services, Education and Labor, and the Oversight and Government Reform committees. 

Key House Floor Votes

Strengthening Immigration Enforcement by Extending E-Verify:
On Thursday, July 31, 2008, I voted for HR 6633, “The Employee Verification Amendment Act.” The so-called “E-Verify” bill will extend for an additional 5 years the Department of Homeland Security’s electronic employment eligibility verification program. E-Verify is an online program that allows employers to easily check the work status of those they hire using databases from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. It was crucial to ensure that this program would not expire at the end of November.

Supporting Veterans in the 24th Congressional District:
On Friday, August 1, 2008, I voted for HR 6599, “The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation” bill. The bipartisan bill contains funding for:
• Military housing and new trainee and recruit housing
• Re-stationing overseas American military personnel to the U.S.
• Upgrades to medical treatment facilities
• Construction and renovation of VA extended care facilities 
• Increasing enrollment of Priority 8 veterans in the Veterans Health Administration
• Veterans medical research (prosthetics, mental health, etc.)
• Arlington National Cemetery and the American Battle Monuments Commission
• Armed Services Retirement Home

I am a proud supporter of our Veterans and believe those who have sacrificed for our country should be taken care of as a matter of first priority. 

Committee on Financial Services

No to Regulations that Bail Out Delinquents to the Detriment of Hardworking Americans:
On Wednesday, July 30, 2008, the full Committee held a markup on HR 5244. Supporters of the bill claim it protects Americans from bad lending practices by credit card companies. Many of the less controversial components of the bill are already being proposed by the Fed in its rulemaking process. Furthermore, some of the more burdensome regulatory hurdles proposed in this legislation may actually lead to higher fees and interest rates for those who use credit more wisely. 

This week in history:

In 1954, Elvis Presley makes his first public performance.
 
In 1958, President Eisenhower signs a law establishing NASA.

In 1965, President Johnson signs a law establishing Medicare and Medicaid.

In 1994, Kenny Rogers throws a perfect game for the Texas Rangers.

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov.