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A group of House Republicans will again take to the shuttered House floor on Monday to protest the decision of House Democrats to adjourn without acting legislatively to combat the rising cost of energy. Reps. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Tom Price (R-Ga.), Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.), Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Wally Herger (R-Calif.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rob Whittman (R-Va.) and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) will return to the well of the House floor on Monday according to the office of Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). “By now you’ve heard of Friday’s successful energy ‘sit-in’ by House Republicans…Thank you to all of the Members who were able to participate in that historic debate,” an email from the Whip’s office to GOP lawmakers said. “Leader [John] Boehner (R-Ohio) and Whip Blunt, at the urging of many of you, are asking for an energy ‘call to arms’ this week, to build on Friday’s success. Over 10 Members have already committed to returning to D.C. Monday morning to begin floor debate at 10am.” On Friday, 48 House Republicans led a gallery crowded with visitors and staff in a virtual pep rally to push House Democratic leaders to hold a vote on energy related issues. “The American people are hurting from the high price of gasoline and I commend Minority Leader John Boehner, Minority Whip Roy Blunt and all the Republicans in Congress who took to the House floor last week to fight for a vote on an energy bill that includes more domestic supply,” Pence said. “It was simply wrong for Congress to take a five week paid vacation without ever taking a vote on giving the American people more access to American oil.” Asked on Sunday by George Stephanopoulos why House Democratic leadership won’t just allow an up or down vote on the issue of drilling, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said House Republicans were catering to Big Oil. “We have a debate every single day on this subject,” Pelosi said, calling the GOP protest “the war dance of the handmaidens of the oil companies.” Pelosi also opened the door for more GOP demonstrations and parliamentary mischief, telling Stephanopoulos that Republicans could use parliamentary tactics to force a vote on the issue. “They have to use their imagination as to how they can get a vote and they may get a vote,” she said. |
