“Senator McCain (R-Ariz.) is not going to help solve this energy crisis, because frankly he helped create it”, said Federico Peña, who served as both the Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Energy under President Clinton. Peña spoke on a conference call to discuss McCain’s energy strategy, calling it “more of the same”.

Peña went on to say, “[McCain] blamed our dependence on foreign oil on the inaction of politicians in Washington, but he’s been there for the past 26 years and he did very little.” He also said that McCain has talked endlessly about drilling in the protected parts of our country like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), despite reports from the Bush administration’s energy department that have shown drilling there would only reduce oil costs to Americans by a few cents. In addition, Peña said the energy department estimated that the small decrease in price would not come about at all until the year 2030.

Peña also attacked McCain’s plan for energy independence by saying that any reduction in price caused by increased production from the United States would be met with OPEC nations reducing their levels of production of oil to keep prices high. As such, he advocates investing in renewable sources of energy that are not subject to price fluctuations determined by foreign governments.

“Hearing [Nancy Pelosi's] name and ‘president’ in the same sentence makes me sick!” exclaimed Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) today on the floor of the House of Representatives. He and his fellow Republicans continued their speeches protesting Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) decision to call the Congress into recess.

“This is an ineffective Congress, I’m embarrassed to say”, said Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.). He went on to describe legislation passed so far in the 110th Congress, including a bill creating “National Passport Month” and another designating “National Plumbing Industry Week”. However, it is common for every session of Congress to pass these pieces of symbolic legislation. He said he advocated a diversified energy solution that utilizes both renewable sources of energy and allowing expanded oil drilling in coastal regions and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). In a recent interview with CNN, Speaker Pelosi said that she would be open to holding a vote on energy reform that would expand drilling.

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) said that during Hurricane Katrina, no oil spills occurred. He went on to say that this is a testament to the safety of these oil rigs for the environment. Pitts also said that if more oil refineries were built within the US, which hasn’t happened in over 30 years, hundreds of thousands of new jobs could be created.

Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) said that since the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, the state’s caribou population has tripled despite environmental reports warning of harm to the animals. He credits the pipeline with keeping the caribou warm during extremely cold weather, thus contributing to the resurgence of the population.

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) says that because geological surveys have already been conducted in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), should Congress decide to allow drilling, drilling could begin very quickly with very little environmental impact (:24).

 

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“Animals are getting under the Alaska pipeline to keep warm!” Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said this afternoon in defense of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil drilling. Republicans joined Burton on the floor of the US House of Representatives today to continue their push for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call an emergency session of Congress.

Burton also expressed a sense of urgency for Americans to find energy independence. “If you think the Saudis are our friend, you’ve got another thing coming,” he said. Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) echoed Burton’s sentiments, also calling out proposed solutions from the Democrats as “hot air”. “We could probably make ourselves energy independent right there,” he said. “If we use the hot air from the Democrats to heat our homes.”

In regards to Speaker Pelosi and her decision to call for a 5 week recess in light of sky-high fuel prices, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said, “I know she didn’t mean to do this, but our Speaker is the best friend OPEC’s got.”

Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio.) while hosting a conference call this morning discussed  his belief that the continuing high cost of oil is not only affecting Americans daily life but our national security. Voinovich commented that numbers released by the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) showing America’s deficit had climbed 750 billion dollars means that the country is not only at a financial disadvantage but a national security risk. Voinovich also noted that the national debt at the end of this year is estimated to be at ten trillion dollars.  (more…)

“Democrats are for drilling,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D- Md.) Hoyer explained that House Democrats agree with the public’s desire to devote resources to oil drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), oil reserves in the continental United States, and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (not to be confused with Arctic National Wildlife Refuge–ANWR– in Alaska.) Hoyer said that the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans arise from where to drill for more oil. “If there’s a place to drill, let’s drill,” he said referencing acres of the OCS that have already been leased to oil companies. Democrats don’t necessarily want to drill where Republicans want, he said.

Hoyer said that while the price of oil per barrel has gone down almost $30, the price at the pump has not gone down to where the pain is not felt by his constituents. Hoyer also suggested that drilling in ANWR was something that Republicans are enthusiastic about, but that oil companies may not be. “I don’t know that oil companies have contacted me about ANWR, I don’t know, maybe they are not interested in drilling there,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer also implied that Republicans are simply paying “lip service” to the causes of renewable and alternative sources of energy, when he cited a quote from Maryland Republican Roscoe Bartlett who was quoted in the Politico as saying of Republicans, “They’re giving lip service to [alternative energy]…The only thing they emphasize is drilling.”

Briefer: White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Schedule:

The President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in the signing of H.J Res. 93, the Renewal of Import Restrictions on Burman and in the signing of H.R 3890, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts). At 10.45 am, President Bush signs H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This afternoon at 1.25 pm, the President departs the White House heading to Ohio. He will make remarks on energy and the economy at the Lincoln Electric Company Euclid, Ohio. At 5.45 pm, President Bush attends a Congressional Trust 2008 Reception at a private residence at Gates Mills, Ohio.

There will no be briefing today

Energy

Perino said that Congress goes on their recess by the end of the week leavening several proposals in the air, including opening energy resources such as ANWR, off shore drilling, oil shale, and streamlining opening refineries. She also said that the President will discuss all of this in his remarks later today. In the President’s cabinet meeting tomorrow they will discuss energy needs, which are the most important needs facing Americans today. Asked several questions about people driving less, Perino said that this shows laws of supply and demand, she also said that the Administration will look for way to bring the prices down. When asked about the highway trust fund, she said that the President has a way to address it in the budget and she does not believe that the way to deal with it is raising taxes.

Iraq

Asked about the uptick in Iraq, Perino said that there was a lot less violence and a need for flexibility with the military, and that we still have a determined enemy. She also said that high profile attacks using female bomber is deplorable.

Housing Bill

Dana said: “ At some time it is going to irresponsible if they don’t sent it [the housing bill]” She continued to say, that they need to send the bill to us and again pushing the White House concept of the- do-nothing-Congress, they are back in town over a long weekend recess. She also said that “you can’t put a timetable when the housing market rebounds”.

Serbia

When asked about US efforts to catch Karadzic, Perino said that over the years we have been supporting of efforts, “that is all I can say”.

Burma

Dana said that sanctions can work and the goal is to squeeze the people that are pressing people and not the people.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) held his weekly pen and pad briefing today. He spoke in support of presumptive democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, saying Obama’s comments were measured, responsible and well received by the international community.

On the recent oil and gas prices, Hoyer said, “Republicans are not being honest with the American people.” He said all Republicans voted against extending renewable tax incentives, and are speaking poorly about the Democratically held Congress to deflect attention from their failed energy policies. Hoyer said that the United States is currently not drilling the 68 million acres of land available, and should focus on getting that oil before moving on to the Outer Continental Shelf or drilling in ANWR.

Hoyer spoke about the housing crisis and said that the economy will be deeply effected if we do not stabilize Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. Hoyer spoke positively about a housing bill currently going through Congress, President Bush has said he will not veto the bill. The housing bill will be a major stimulus bill and is expected to pass is great bipartisan support.

Congressmen Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) held a pen and pad briefing on the recent American Energy Tour and used the opportunity to express their frustration with Democrats’ anti-drilling position.

Putnam said that America has the tools it needs to solve the energy crisis, but requires new leadership to achieve energy independence. He said the Republicans plan on unveiling a bill that is an “all-of-the-above” approach to the oil crisis that includes measures on conservation, renewables, clean nuclear technology, and domestic exploration for oil. He said the bill would embody Republicans’ open-mindedness and leadership, a stark contrast to Democrats’ constant denial of even debate on the topic of drilling.

McCarthy said that in his recent tour of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), he learned that a key oil transmission line is not used to capacity and if exploration is not done, great amounts of oil will be lost. He said the Democrats’ constant denial of drilling tells the American people that oil prices will continue to go up. Putnam added that Republicans are constantly offering what they are willing to do, while the Democrats only say what they are unwilling to do. He said his party is determined to force a vote on energy issues before the Congress breaks for August.

House Republicans held a press conference to discuss their trip to Alaska and Colorado on the American Energy Tour. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) noted that oil production in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska has declined, chastising Democrats for standing in the way of Congressional progress on energy issues. According to Boehner, Republicans embrace a holistic energy strategy that includes drilling, conservation, and increasing the development of oil alternatives. (more…)