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A Lights-Out Session in the House

Today the House voted 213-194 (with 24 abstaining) in favor of adjourning for a five-week August recess. Lawmakers chose to take a paid vacation instead of voting to address the energy crisis that has stalled American motorists and is doing its best to cripple the economy.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have not allowed a vote in Congress on ways to solve the energy problem. Pelosi claims she is trying to “save the world” by not allowing a vote for it.

So, with the vote to adjourn, the debate would seem to be over for now…

…however, members of Congress are making history. Republicans are on the House floor debating energy policy in the dark amongst themselves.

For those interested in the absolute latest information, you can follow Reps. John Culberson (R-Tex.) and Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) on Twitter as they “tweet” from the House floor on the energy debate. Heritage’s Rob Bluey is also on the House floor reporting on the situation. Follow all of their “tweets” for the latest updates (also, while you are there, follow Heritage, too).

  • Author: Todd Thurman
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14 Comments

August 1, 2008 Karen, New Jersey writes:

I am astonished that Speaker Pelosi has taken so much upon herself as to feel she can dictate contrary to the desires of the people who elect the representatives to Congress. She has to be aware of the American people’s desire for a vote and movement on a solution or set of solutions NOW. I am extremely disappointed in our representatives’ failure to stand up for us, and bowing to someone who seems to be taking on attributes of leaders in places where there is no representative rule. I have little sympathy for any desire of any member of Congress to have a vacation, considering that their lack of action is making it impossible for many of us to contemplate vacations now, or in the foreseeable future. Putting vacations aside, since they are not absolutely necessary, commuting to and from work is, if you are still lucky enough to have a job. The cost of commuting, whether individual or mass transit, is growing continuously and will continue to do so until work is started and accomplished in the area of energy supply and independence. ALL options MUST be explored, and it must be done NOW, not after vacation, or some other time in the nebulous future. Hard times are here NOW, and it is the duty of every member of Congress to listen to their constituents, and work on making life better for the families they represent. ALL energy initiatives can be approached responsibly, with an eye to conservation, cost effectiveness, and long term dependability. It is insulting to us to have people such as Speaker Pelosi and others to act as though the “common” constituent is too stupid or selfish or shortsighted to care about the environment and the “world” they are trying to save. Their first responsibility, considering where they live and work, is to US.

August 1, 2008 Greg Hagen, Pine Colorado writes:

This bold action by the remaining House members could have within-it the roots of a groundswell energy-debate originating from the Conservative side. I would go so far as to say that it should.

Nancy Pilosy has indicated with her “save the world” comment which tack she will take during her role in the liberal-obstructionist-energy-policy saga.

As the Global Warming Theory with all of it’s flaws and unproven presumptions is carried forth into actual policy and law throughout the world, we can’t ignore the groundswell of frustration felt by ordinary citizens, not just scientists, at the wasted ‘energy’ being brought-about in our societies.
As the keystone to liberal policy regarding all-things environmental(energy policy etc.) this ‘theory’ needs to be adressed in a careful, calculated way using reason, good science, and existing evidence to start to diffuse the rationalle used by neo-environmmental policy makers everywhere.

I am disturbed to watch one of the key statements from the legitimate Scientific Community languishing outside of the debate. It is in the form of the ‘Petition Project’, and it casts doubt as to the need for the reactional policys and laws to the unproven “proven theory” of global-warming. This is actually a product of the scientific-community in the United-States, because scientists have signed their name to it’s statement. This should give it the legitimacy to be noticed, and a high priority among those in leadership who want to refute the current dynamic action of the left. Those leaders owe to those that have signed the petition to us it as the tool intended. Many of these scientists are indignant about liberals and other opportunistic forces co-opting their pursuit.

As the Al Gore monolith grows and makes itself ‘felt’ in real and unreversable ways, and cannot be written-off simply by expressing incredulity, so to can the side of reason and good science not afford to continue a disjointed approach of opposition.

Good luck to those forty-or-so of you…there are a lot of us out here that are ready to lend our support to some simple, common-sense…and even somewhat old-fashioned energy policies which you may articulate and bring-forth to the ‘white-hot’ scrutiny of the people.

August 2, 2008 Keith, New Jersey writes:

So the Queen has spoken! Nancy Pelosi, by turning out the lights and not allowing a debate about increasing oil exploration has just said to the American public who are paying 4 dollars per gallon of gasoline, “screw you!” Is this what she was talking about when she said “we will restore civility and bi-partisanship” to the Senate? We are now left to fend for ourselves. No wonder the approval rating of Congress is in the crapper. Way to go Pelosi, thanks for nothing, a do nothing Congress!

August 2, 2008 Darvin Dowdy, Houston, TX writes:

We really, really, really, REALLY, need to know the names, etc of the 24 scoundrels who obstained and why. These are the worst of the worst.

To the Foundry, this is a story in and of itself as to who these are and why they obstained. Any Republicans on that list? DD

August 3, 2008 E. Wammack, California writes:

Enough time has been wasted on Pelosi and her antics. Let’s hear more about those Representatives who stayed on the House Floor after the lights went out! They are the ones actually doing their job, that is representing the desires of most American citizens. Who are they, where are they from, and we need to elect more people like them! Focus on the positive, not on Pelosi.

August 4, 2008 Alyce, California writes:

I’m FURIOUS!!!! HOW DARE PELOSI DO SUCH A THING!!!
She just told all of the American public, “Screw
You”. I’m ashamned she’s a member of my gender—
she’s the worst EVER Speaker of the House. Can’t
the Grassroots segment of the country get her
impeached??? She went on TV promoting her new book
(which is probably 3rd. grade level)& when this
subject was presented to her, said, ” I will NOT do anything to help this administration!!”. Presi-
dent Bush has been TRYING to address this issue
from the day he took Office–hasn’t gotten any
cooperation from Congress. We need to kick them all out & start over before we lose our country
completely!! Under Article 2, the President has
the power to order them BACK to work. Anyone heard
of his being approached to do so, in our behalf???
Oh my gawd, this woman is such a dangerous, moronic imbecile–who were the idiots that voted
her in????

August 4, 2008 Kyle, Texas writes:

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!!!

Sure, the Repubes in Congress got a small piece of coverage on Friday. However, they still went on vacation. This is the perfect chance for them to show the U.S. taxpayer that they are sincere by continuing to show up everyday and make a FIVE-WEEK media circus out of it. The only way to top the “Messiah” is to bring the the press back down to reality; hopefully the public will follow. By the way, the “Chosen One” flopped on the drilling issue (that’s about 12 flops and counting) immediately following the Repubes stunt. This was the perfect chance to continue to put the Demogogues on the defensive. But, I guess the Repubes would rather take a 5-week vacation while American taxpayers must work harder to keep up with rising consumer prices and the ever-increasing tax burden!!!

August 4, 2008 Ed Smithe writes:

If only my party cared as much about corruption in its own ranks as it does with making a scene.

I think this stunt is going to backfire on them–especially as the price of oil falls in the short-term.

While I’m happy that they’ve fought the good fight on this issue, what I am not happy about is that it has taken them years and years to actually push back on it. I guess they were more concerned with doling out earmarks than they were with protecting the United States.

August 4, 2008 Mark,houston writes:

why does everyone act so suprised at pelosi’s actions? We the people have put these morons in office , we the people have watched while our elected officials have literally turned their backs on america and her great people.when is enough enough ? what must it take for the american people to be so outraged that we take our country back from the hands of liberal tyranny ? If we continue to ignore this than we’ll have an even bigger idiot in the white house, WAKE UP AMERICA ! RECLAIM OUR COUNTRY !

August 4, 2008 Glenn Steiding Pinole, Ca. writes:

We need to change how our Speaker of the House must operate. Chances are that Pelosi will not be the last person to abuse the power of this position. If we altered between the Majotity and the Minority Speaker on a frequent schedule the political agenda of only one Speaker would be minimized. Getting issues up for a vote is only fair, up or down, that’s all we ask. Just knowing that 75% of the American public favors drilling for more oil and having a mindless dictator ignore reality is making me loose faith with this Government, whose Country is this, Pelosi’s or ours?

August 4, 2008 Greg, Michigan writes:

This Republican Congress is a master of political theater!! They have evolved decades beyond the hapless Democrats. If the Republic Party wants theater, I would give them this:
An annoucer intones:
“The Republican Party,…..once the party of Nixon and Lincoln,…. NOW the party of 911, Katrina, the “Iraq-upation”, stratospheric deficits, high gas prices, David Vitter, Mark Foley, Ken Lay, Larry Craig, Ted Stevens, Bob Ney, Watergate, Iran-Contra and Jack Abramoff. The Republican Party,…….your vote continues a proud tradition”

“Remember to vote in November”

I would show this amid flag-draped coffins from Iraq, the burning twin towers, corpses floating in New Orleans, $5.00 gas price signs,….and Bush and Cheney laughing their tails off at all of you.

The Democratic Party symbol,….then fade to black.
Fall to your knees tonight and pray that I do not become the ad manager for the Democratic Party.

August 4, 2008 Amy JUmp writes:

Isn’t it time to “impeach” Pelosi?

August 5, 2008 Dan, California writes:

What I want to know is WHO stayed behind in the Congress? Was my Representative there, the ones around my district? I doubt it considering where I live. Knowing who stayed behind is as important as knowing someone did, since it falls to us to determine who to vote for in the future. Also, if anyone missed it, they were still debating on Monday and hadn’t left for vacation yet.

August 26, 2008 FAMILYFOUNDATIONBLOG.COM » Blog Archive » Pope Pelosi writes:

[…] she’s just published a book (that’s sold a whopping 4,000 copies); she’s trying to “save the world” her actual quote); and reassure jittery convention delegates that her choice for president, Senator Barack […]

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