[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 7037]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  START GOVERNING AND STOP CAMPAIGNING

  (Mr. RICHMOND asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I came down here to do a public service 
announcement. On behalf of all Americans, I want the Republican 
majority to know that the elections are over. You've won the majority 
for now, so now start governing and stop campaigning. If you can't 
handle the responsibility of governing, get out of the way and let's 
move towards progress.
  This week we're considering two bills that Republicans claim would 
bring down the price of gas immediately. Let's just pretend that is a 
fact, that that is true, although we know it is not.
  If it's true, then why would you bring a bill to the floor that 
expedites drilling permits, which I could agree with, but you add in a 
provision to strip the American people's right to challenge drilling 
permits that are not environmentally sound?
  Let's look at the next bill, Reversing President Obama's Offshore 
Moratorium Act. That isn't the name of a bill. That's the name of a 
campaign speech. That's the name of political rhetoric.
  I would say, Mr. Speaker, that it is now time to have the 
responsibility of governing and take it seriously so that the American 
people are not paying $5 a gallon for gas.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just ask that you remind the Republicans that 
the campaign is over and it is time to govern.
  This public service announcement is brought to you by Americans For a 
Functional Congress.

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