House Republicans held a press conference today calling for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to allow a vote on comprehensive energy reform. Speakers said the Republican strategy would solve America’s energy crisis by developing renewable and alternative fuels, using clean coal and nuclear energy, and increasing the levels of American-produced oil and gas.

Rep. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.) attacked the “do-nothing, don’t-care” Congress via phone, saying Pelosi has allowed Congress to stay on vacation while the energy crisis remains unsolved.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) outlined the Republican standpoint on energy, saying that “energy security is in effect national security.” Boehner also said that revenues gained by the US government from increased oil exploration would be used to fund renewable sources of energy. He concluded his statement, asking Pelosi to “give [Congress] a chance to show the American people we can produce what they want.”

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said that by 2030, America’s energy needs will have increased by 30 to 40 percent. He adds that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has discussed the need to increase the US’ nuclear energy supplies by 50% by that time, which the Arizona Senator believes would create 750,000 new jobs. “We cannot stay at home with [this] job undone,” Upton said.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) states that reports say drilling on the outer-continental shelf of Alaska can anywhere from six months to one year from now. (0:12)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) says President Carter opened the Alaska Wildlife National Refuge (ANWR) for oil exploration and that the Democratic Congress prohibited drilling on the coastal plain. Boehner continues, saying there is no geographical separation between the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (NPR-A,) Prudhoe Bay, and ANWR and that wildlife in the NPR-A proves wildlife and oil production can co-exist. (1:09)

 

 Standard Podcast [1:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

House minority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) blames Democrats for preventing America from reducing its dependence on foreign oil. He says that drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and exploring offshore resources would greatly reduce how much oil the US imports. (:37)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Democrats in the House and Senate have stood in the way of more American made energy” said House minority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). “That’s why almost 70% of our oil that we use everyday has to be imported.” Boehner and other top Republicans spoke at a press conference today to accept a petition from American Solutions signed by 1.3 million Americans. The petition calls on congress to take action now to lower gas prices. (more…)

In a press conference regarding gas prices, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.) said that the Republican Party is committed to creating more American energy in order to lower gas prices. He criticized Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and his stance on gas prices. He said that apparently Senator Obama is not concerned about the rising gas prices, only the fact that they rose so abruptly. McConnell said that lowering gas prices in the America is a top priority for the Republican Party.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH.) said that the U.S. must produce more oil in an environmentally friendly way. He said that the Democrats who run the Senate are not allowing sensible bills to be brought to the floor. He said that Democratic Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-NY.) is taking partisan advantage in the Senate and it is making it impossible for Republicans to introduce legislation.

Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tex.) said that the Republican Party is prepared to act on lower gas prices, with an understanding that the issue involves supply, demand, and conservation. He said that most Republican senators voted for higher fuel efficiency standards, which according to Alexander, is essential to lowering gas prices.

Conservative Radio Talk Show Host Laura Ingrahm while speaking at a news conference told reporters that she thinks the fight over the Republicans fairness doctrine will be a “a fight like the immigration fight.” Ingrahm was joined by Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center as well as House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH.) (0:21)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) said in a pen and pad briefing that the focus this week for House Republicans has been on short and long term solutions to make energy more secure. He says Americans recognize that Washington, D.C. is “broken” because they are paying 1.50 dollars more than they were at the beginning of the 110th Congress. (more…)

Speaking outside the White House after a meeting with President Bush John Boehner says that House Republicans are going to win on the debate over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and it it just a matter of time until Democrats “cry uncle.” (0:35)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download