Yesterday, Minority Leader John Boehner asked whether Blue Dog Democrats would vote for H R 6899, Speaker Pelosi’s latest non-energy energy bill. The results are in and they tell quite the tale. Here are all of the Blue Dog Democrats voting for this non-energy energy bill:

Arcuri, Baca, Bean, Bishop (GA), Boren, Boswell, Boyd (FL), Cardoza, Carney, Chandler, Cooper, Costa, Cramer, Davis, Lincoln, Donnelly, Ellsworth, Giffords, Gillibrand, Gordon, Harman, Herseth Sandlin, Hill, Holden, Mahoney (FL), Matheson, Melancon, McIntyre, Patrick Murphy, Michaud, Moore (KS), Peterson (MN), Pomeroy, Salazar, Schiff, Linda Sánchez, Loretta Sanchez, Scott (GA), Space, Thompson (MS), Tanner and Wilson (OH)

Of the 53 BDD’s, 42 voted for H.R. 6899. Only John Barrow and Jim Marshall voted against it. That means that 80 percent of the Blue Dog Democrats voted the same way as such environmental extremists as Dennis Kucinich, John Conyers, Maxine Waters, Henry Waxman, George Miller and Jim McDermott.

What’s really gotta hurt the BDD’s is this quote from their intrepid leader:

“We’re not trying to give incentives to drill, we’re giving incentives to invest in renewables and natural gas that will take us where we need to go,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told reporters before the vote.

I hope that the NRCC is paying attention. They should be making videos as we speak highlighting that quote. Anytime one of these representatives says that they voted to increase drilling, the video should run with Ms. Pelosi’s quote plastered on the screen for at least 5 seconds, followed by the representative saying that he/she voted for more drilling.

Personally, I’d love hearing Ms. Pelosi explain how that quote fits with this part of her official statement: (continue reading post »)

Tuesday evening, Democrats passed another non-energy bill masquerading as an energy bill. Immediately afterwards, Nancy Pelosi was spinning what had happened:

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the bill “represents a new direction in energy policy” and a “bold step forward that will end our dependence on foreign oil” by using billions of dollars collected in taxes on large oil companies to promote alternative fuels and energy efficiency.

I’d like hearing Ms. Pelosi explain how opening a tiny sliver of the OCS while increasing taxes on oil companies will give the oil companies an incentive to increase production.

Speaker Pelosi says that this bill “represents a new direction in energy policy.” Perhaps Ms. Pelosi can explain why House Democrats had to pass a second energy bill after passing one about this time last year.

Republicans called the drilling measure a ruse to provide political cover to Democrats feeling pressure to support more drilling at a time of high gas prices.

“How much new drilling do we get out of this bill? It’s zero. Just zero,” declared House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio. “It’s a hoax on the American people. This is intended for one reason…so the Democrats can say we voted on energy.”

Boehner is right. This bill isn’t about setting us on the path to independence from foreign oil. (continue reading post »)

Last week, Speaker Pelosi sent Steny Hoyer out to wave the white flag of defeat on energy. Or so we thought. This is what Hoyer said then:

“[Republicans] will have the opportunity to offer their alternative, yes,” Hoyer said in response to a question about how the energy bill will be introduced. “We understand that their motion to recommit will be their Republican alternative.”

Rep. Hoyer’s words no longer apply. Ms. Pelosi has reverted back to her tyrannical behavior. The Democrats’ new ‘Drilling Bill’ is being brought up under a closed rule again:

Late last night, the Democrat Rules Committee decided to allow debate on ZERO amendments to the Democrats’ new energy gimmick bill. It is a closed bill, so no amendments can be offered, and no compromise can be reached. They made this decision over Republican objections, in the dead of night, and less than 12 hours before the House would begin consideration of the bill.

That’s a complete turnaround from their original promise. Democrats have just just told America that their word is worthless. Their credibility, which was already circling the drain, just dropped lower. It’s almost vanished.

Here are 3 definitions of corruption:

• perversion of integrity.
• corrupt or dishonest proceedings.
• debasement or alteration, as of language or a text

I’d say each definition fits what the House Democratic leadership promised a week earlier. Minority Leader John Boehner isn’t taking this lightly: (continue reading post »)

Anyone who’s read this blog knows that I’m a big fan of Rep. Mike Pence. That’s because he’s a fighter who picks the right side of the biggest fights. Energy policy is a perfect example of his leadership. This morning, Rep. Pence delivered this speech in the House Chamber:

The American people are hurting. They’re struggling under the weight of record gasoline prices and in that cause, Republicans have been fighting for a comprehensive energy bill that includes more drilling. Three-quarters of Americans agree with us.

Just last week, the drill-nothing Democrat Congress announced they would bring an energy bill to the floor that includes more drilling and now they say Republicans have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.

Well, I would suggest to my countrymen that they look at the fine print. The drill-nothing Democrat Congress has brought a bill that actually includes basically ‘drill-almost-nothing’ provisions.

They say ‘yes’ to drilling, but not in Alaska, not in the Eastern Gulf and not within 50 miles. They say ‘yes’ to drilling but states can decide, even though they get absolutely no revenues for choosing to drill. I guess states are just going to allow drilling out of the goodness of their hearts. They say ‘yes’ to drilling but litigation rules will allow environmental lawyers to tie up all leases from the very day they’re filed.

I say to my House Democrat colleagues from my heart, on behalf of our constituents who are struggling under record gasoline prices: ‘End the charade! Stop playing politics with American energy independence! Bring a full and fair debate to this floor, and we will achieve a bipartisan result.

(continue reading post »)

While Nancy Pelosi works frantically to cobble together enough support for their latest version of a non-energy energy bill, Mary Landrieu has already declared the bill DOA in the Senate. This is how Sen. Landrieu specifically delivered that message:

Even if the bill reaches the Senate, he said, the bill is in trouble, given strong opposition by Sen. Mary Landrieu, (D-LA), who calls it “dead on arrival” since it fails to provide revenue sharing between the states and federal government. “The Senate will never pass a bill without revenue sharing, in my view,” she was quoted as saying.

The House bill hinges on that provision. Ms. Pelosi won’t sign off on a bill that gives financial incentives to states to opt in. The minute the bill has financial incentives in it is the minute that states opt in. It’s estimated that Virginia would get an estimated $200 million annually by opting in. The chances that they wouldn’t opt in are minimal at best. Louisiana would likely get a healthy chunk of cash from such a bill, too. There’s no way that Bobby Jindal would bypass that type of cash flow.

Putting out his best spin, Rep. Nick Rahall, (D-WVA), offered this timid defense: (continue reading post »)

I knew that the Democrats’ drilling bill wouldn’t come without a poison pill. This article proves me right. Here’s what the Virginian-Pilot is reporting:

Even as House Democratic leaders handed Republicans a symbolic victory this week in their long fight for new offshore oil development, critics charged that the fine print in the plan probably will continue to keep drillers out of the Atlantic.

While lifting a 25-year federal ban on most offshore oil and natural gas drilling, the legislation would block Virginia and other coastal states from sharing in a $2.6 trillion bonanza of tax revenue expected to flow from offshore fields. A Senate bill still in the works would give states part of the money.

Unless states stand to profit from offshore development, they almost surely would exercise their right under the bill to block any drilling within 100 miles of their shores, critics of the House initiative charged.

Think of what the House Democratic leaderhip is telling “Virginia and other coastal states.” They’re saying that Alaska can keep reaping the benefits of the Alaskan Pipeline but “Virginia and other coastal states” don’t get a penny. Why shouldn’t Virginia and other coastal states be upset with the House Democratic leadership?

What’s most encouraging is that House GOP leadership has already jumped all over this stunt:

Rep. Thelma Drake, a Norfolk Republican who has taken a prominent role among pro-drilling forces, was even more critical. The new bill “appears to be little more than a political ploy,” Drake charged in a prepared statement. Democrats intend to “tell the American people that they voted to go after more American energy while winking to the environmentalists to say that this increased production will never happen,” she said.

I’d call this a ’show-and-tell’ bill. Ms. Pelosi will show the American people the pro-drilling headline, then tell her environutter campaign contributors that drilling won’t happen because states don’t have a financial interest in it. (continue reading post »)

1:59– I just got connected to the GOP blogger conference call hosted by House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam. We’re scheduled to start momentarily.
2:05– Adam Putnam is starting to lay out “what might or might not be” in the Democrats’ bill. Reop. Putnam said that the House GOP changed the entire debate.
2:07– “They’re [Democrats] taking a victory lap” but they know that “responsible governors” won’t opt in because there isn’t a financial incentive for them to do so. Rep. Putnam says that they know drilling won’t happen because of that.
2:10– “Ironically, Democrats have submitted a drilling only bill.” Rep. Putnam then adds that “they fund their bill with $85 billion in tax hikes.”
2:12– “Renewable electricity standards will cause price spikes.”
2:13– ” Democrats should hold an open & fair debate.”
2:14– Stan from Conservatives With Attitude asks why Republicans didn’t do more whan thay had the majority. Rep. Putnam is pointing out all that got passed.
2:16– Brian Faughnan from Redstate is worried about Gang of “10 or 16 or 20 or whatever it is.” Rep. Putnam says that that is a concern. Rep. Putnam then says that the House GOP leadership has been in contact with the Senate GOP leadership on this. Most importantly, Rep. Putnam says that the group hasn’t “put legislation forward, just talking points.” Rep. Putnam is skeptical of their ability to put it together with this little time but they’re keeping their eyes open on this.
2:20– I ask about whether the House GOP would offer an amendment that gives Virginia, Louisiana and other states a financial incentive in opting in. Rep. Putnam said that the GOP hasn’t settled on a specific strategy yet but, depending on what’s in the bill, they’d likely take that opportunity. As a followup, I asked “Shouldn’t the benchmark be about what’s done, not what’s talked about?” Rep. Putnam’s response: “That’s a great way to frame it. Yes, that should be what we demand.”

Technorati Tags: Adam Putnam, House GOP, House Oil Party, Drilling, Gang Of 10, Gang Of 16, Environmentalists, Amendments

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

This Washington Examiner article shows how stupid some senators are. Here’s the proof justifying my statement:

Chambliss and Isakson dismiss the criticism, arguing that voters want Congress to set aside differences and agree on something that will make a difference, even if it requires trade-offs.

Sen. Chambliss and Sen. Isakson couldn’t be further from the truth. The Gang of 10 legislation wouldn’t appreciably drop prices at the pump. That’s the only criteria that people care about. If playing hardball is what reduces the price at the pump, then that’s what they’re content with. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PRICE.

Let’s frame this a different way. If Democrats stand in the way of progress, we expect Republicans to expose them as working against the will of the American people. At that point, We The People will let our voices be heard. If the Democrats persist in working against actually increasing drilling, then we’ll make certain that their colleagues pay a price at the polls this November.

Let’s remember that Democrats don’t have the votes in the House to pass a CR that would maintain the drilling moratoria. Eventually, Democrats will be forced to pass a CR that doesn’t extend the moratoria on the OCS. That puts an exceptional amount of pressure on Harry Reid’s Democrats. If the Senate Democrats don’t ratify the House’s CR, Democrats are on the hook for shutting down the government. Does anyone think that Reid’s Democrats won’t cave at that point? (continue reading post »)

Democratic strategists are so worried about Sen. Obama being a drag downticket that they’ve started planning for that contingency. Here’s what an anonymous fundraiser said about that problem:

“If people are voting for McCain, it could help Republicans all the way down the ticket, even in a year when the Democrats should be sweeping all before us,” said the fundraiser, a former Hillary Clinton supporter. “There is a growing sense of doom among Democrats I have spoken to . . . People are going crazy, telling the campaign ‘you’ve got to do something’.”

This quote tells me several things, starting with the fact that this is proof that Washington insiders shouldn’t run campaigns. Washington insiders, by nature, are defeatists. Defeatists are easily rolled. They’re often panicky.

Second, that quote tells me that the Democrats aren’t anchored to something solid that they can turn to when they’re experiencing a rough patch. When Sen. Obama’s ‘friends’ told him he can’t get swiftboated, he started taking ill-advised shots at Gov. Palin, something that’s backfired badly on him. (continue reading post »)

The more I read about the Democrats’ divisions on drilling, the more I’m inclined to believe that the Gang of 16 is actually negotiating against themselves. There’s an article in Roll Call that encapsulates why Senate Republicans should respectfully decline to meet the Democrats’ demands. Here’s what jumped off the page at me:

House Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WVA) also acknowledged that Democrats don’t have the votes to pass a continuing resolution that would retain the offshore drilling ban. Rahall said that if it expired, drilling would be allowed as close as three miles to shore.

First, some important process-related information. Continuing resolutions must originate in the House of Representatives. If Democrats can’t pass a CR that extends the drilling ban, the die will have been cast before it reaches the Senate.

This is important for this reason: If Democrats can’t pass a CR with a drilling ban in it, they’ll have to pass one that lets the moratoria lapse. That means that President Bush wouldn’t have to veto a CR. That means Democrats can’t accuse President Bush of shutting down the government. If the government shuts down, it’ll place the burden squarely on Nancy Pelosi’s shoulders.

That’s huge because a government shutdown would happen just a month before the elections. Does anyone seriously think that Democrats would benefit from shutting down the government in opposition to lifting the moratoria that 70 percent of Americans want lifted a month before going to the polls? (continue reading post »)