Some Democrats move to support domestic exploration
August 1st, 2008 by Brendan SteinhauserAs The Wall Street Journal blog Washington Wire reports, some Democrats are beginning to feel the heat when it comes to energy policy.
A growing number of Democrats are banding with Republicans to push proposals that would relax the current federal moratorium on offshore exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Today in the Senate, a so-called Gang of 10 lawmakers – five Democrats and five Republicans led by Sens. Kent Conrad (D., N.D.) and Saxby Chambliss (R., Ga.) - is announcing legislation that would relax oil-and-gas leasing bans on the outer continental shelf, coupled with conservation and alternative energy measures.
Separately, in the House, a bill introduced this week by Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D., Hawaii) and John Peterson (R., Penn.) would overturn the current ban and direct a portion of royalties collected from oil companies toward renewable energy and conservation programs, as well as heating assistance for the poor.
High gas prices are really starting to take their toll, politically. The congressional Republicans have put out memos and talking points urging members to talk about lifting the congressional moratorium against drilling off our coasts. They see this as an issue that has widespread public support (which it does) and can be used to hammer the Democrats before the election in November. On one hand it’s good that some Democrats and most Republicans are moving in the right direction on exploration and drilling. On the other hand, why do we always have to wait for something to be politically popular for Congress to act?
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Good for you, open the windows to Americans so they can see the tricks and games the democrats are playing with our energy crisis, and their hubris in trying to prevent honest debate and proposed solutions by Republican congresspersons. Its important for the ‘little people’” who pay their salary to know how arrogant they are about ignoring the voices of their constituents….Pelosi, Reid, Shummer, Durbin, Hoyer, Sanders….just to name a few.
The public will realize that they are overpaid and underqualified to lead and to represent Americans who gave them the power that has now run amuck within the Congress.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
“The congressional Republicans have put out memos and talking points urging members to talk about lifting the congressional moratorium against drilling off our coasts.”
And thank goodness that you’ve responded here in kind…pathetic actually, but at least you admit the truth of what you are really doing…
Bernie Sanders?! If he had his way, there would have never even *been* an energy crisis…we’d have moved on to viable alternative energy sources that have been readily availble for over a decade now!