Smith Wants Congress to Consider Energy Legislation Before Adjourning

Press Release

Congressman Lamar Smith announced today that he is an original cosponsor of H.CON.RES. 417, which calls on Congress to continue working until a comprehensive "all of the above" energy bill - as favored by two thirds of the American people - is enacted into law. Congress is scheduled to adjourn on September 26 and Speaker Pelosi refuses to allow debate and a vote on such legislation.

"As the American economy continues to be squeezed by high energy and gas prices, Americans demand and strongly support the "all of the above" energy strategy for which House Republicans are fighting," said Smith. "Democrats continue to leave America's energy crisis unaddressed and House Republicans will continue to push for a full debate and vote on our energy plan: the American Energy Act."

The resolution states that the 110th Congress should not adjourn until comprehensive energy legislation has been enacted into law that:

· Opens the Outer Continental Shelf, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and oil shale reserves to environmentally-sensitive exploration and extraction.

· Extends expiring renewable energy incentives.

· Encourages the streamlined approval of new refining capacity and nuclear power facilities.

· Encourages advanced research and development of clean coal, coal-to-liquid, and carbon sequestration technologies.

· Minimizes drawn out legal challenges that unreasonably delay or prevent actual domestic energy production.

Source