[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H7863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          AMERICANS WANT TO DRILL HERE, DRILL MORE, DRILL NOW

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, 5 weeks ago, Democrats adjourned this 
Congress for a 5-week paid vacation without ever giving the bipartisan 
majority in this House that supports comprehensive energy legislation 
and includes more drilling a vote. But House Republicans never left. 
Republicans stayed here on the House floor because we know the American 
people are hurting. Senior citizens, school systems, working families, 
small businesses and family farmers are struggling under the weight of 
high gasoline prices. In fact, the American people know the high cost 
of energy is costing American jobs.
  And so now today along comes the latest iteration of a Democrat 
energy bill. And as Congress awaits the unveiling of their latest 
effort, a plea to Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats: No gimmicks, 
no fig leaves, no half measures. The American people won't stand for 
it. The Democratic leadership must allow the bipartisan majority in 
this Congress that supports more drilling, more conservation, more 
alternatives, a fair up-or-down vote and debate.
  Speaker Pelosi, respectfully, you can turn off the lights on the 
House floor, you can shut off the microphones, but you cannot silence 
the majority of the American people that want a comprehensive bill and 
want to drill here, drill more, drill now.

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