Stop Playing Politics With America's Energy Independence

Floor Speech

STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH AMERICA'S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE -- (House of Representatives - September 16, 2008)

(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, the American people are hurting. They are 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 are going to 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, Mr. Speaker, that they look at the fine print. The drill-nothing Congress has brought a bill that actually includes basically drill-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 going to just 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 are filed.

I say to my House Democrat colleagues from my heart, on behalf of our constituents who are struggling under record gasoline prices, end this charade. Stop playing politics with America's energy independence. Bring us a full and fair debate to this floor and you will see a bipartisan result.

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